Kanyini

Cast: Bob Randall
Release Date: 31st August 2006
Running Time: 53 mins
Rating: PG

A necessary and beautiful film, "Kanyini" looks at the world's oldest living culture in a way that's never been seen before.

A listed traditional owner of Uluru and former Indigenous Person of the Year, Bob Randall acts as our guide to "Kanyini", which he describes as the principle of connectedness through caring and responsibility that informs all aspects of Aboriginal life.

Bob poignantly explains why his people are now struggling in a modern world and what needs to be done for them to move forward. As Bob explains, "The Earth is our Mother. That makes you and me brother and sister."

A tale of Indigenous wisdom clashing against materialist notions of progress "Kanyini" is not only a story of one man and his people but the story of the human race. It is also a story that is fundamental for understanding contemporary Australia, for only by knowing our past and our present can we dream of a future which includes everyone.

Director's Statement:

In a nutshell, "Kanyini" was born out of my desire to understand and connect with Indigenous Australia.

Being part of the dominant culture in a recently "colonised" country I had next to no contact whatsoever with Indigenous Australia for the first 26 years of my life. In fact it was only in April 2004 that I realised I didn't have one Indigenous friend! Now, in a country where Indigenous people have lived for at least 40,000 years, this fact was more than crazy, it was downright ridiculous, so I set off to the desert pretty much straight away, to learn about Indigenous Australia - in a blackfella kinda way - through communication and relationship and following the direction of the wind...

It is fair to say that in my homeland, Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people still seem to be confused about each other and are finding it difficult to journey together. Knowing this, Bob and I wanted to create a film that may help to bring Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people closer together not just in Australia but all over the world. As a young person, I feel very strongly that many of the values held by our Indigenous brothers and sisters could be of enormous benefit for society at large, particularly their care and respect for Mother Earth and all forms of life. In a world that is going a little too fast, in my opinion, Indigenous Wisdom may hold some of the answers non-Indigenous people are looking for.

I hope people enjoy "Kanyini". Hearing Uncle Bob tell his people's heart-breaking story with such honesty and love, gentleness and strength continues to amaze me, despite the fact I have seen this film over a hundred times! Uncle Bob always says the hardest thing to change in the world is 'negative attitude'. If "Kanyini" can help create some positive attitudes then we're on our way to healing some of the mistakes of the past. And that excites me.

Finally I just want to say thank you to Uncle Bob for trusting me with his story. It's been an incredible journey and a journey that has only just begun.

- Melanie Hogan