As a filmmaker, I’m passionate about Indigenous issues. Partly this was nurtured from my appreciation of culture being born into a migrant family. After my Tibet documentary, I wanted to focus on a story that highlighted the blatant injustice that continues to be shown towards Australian Indigenous people. “Banjo’s War” is a powerful story that not only highlights just how badly our governments treat Aboriginal people but it’s also a story of hope. A story about a community who have chosen to take their destiny in their own hands and to create what will be a legacy not only for their own children, grand-children and future generations, but a historical legacy for Australia.

As John Pilger said recently at a talk he gave in Sydney “Since the apology, Aboriginal poverty has got worse. The promised housing programme is a grim joke. No gap has even begun to be bridged. Instead, the federal government has threatened communities in the Northern Territory that if they don’t hand over their precious freehold leases, they will be denied the basic services that we, in white Australia, take for granted.”

That’s why I’ve committed to making this documentary and to helping Richard and Banjo and the Alyawarr People tell this story, and the many stories they have. “Banjo’s War” is a part of Australian history – a story of hope and empowerment.

“Banjo’s War” is an important story – for everything it represents to all Australians and to all people, everywhere.