Now that I have lived as an expat for a total of 1 year 8 months in two countries (Cambodia and Kuwait), it's time to reflect on the country I come from. Part 1 of this two part series is about the genocide of Australian Aboriginals. Part 2 will be about alcohol driven violence amongst Australia's youth, the cause of a few deaths during 2013/14 new year celebrations. The main form of research I did for Part 1 was to watch John Pilger's latest documentary, Utopia. This blog post starts with a review of the film. I will expand it later with some facts about life for this group within Australian society and what I think about this from the detached viewpoint my current life affords.
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The film 'Australia' contained movie stars, had a well known director and attempted to tell a soaring tale of hardship, struggle and eventual thrilling victory against the odds. It was a flop. Was it partly a flop because the world suspected something more like the story of 'Utopia' needed to be told? I am Australian. Like Pilger, I have been living outside of Australia. There comes a time when one has escaped enough from the mess of influence that is local marketing, media and culture and can begin to reflect on the place one has come from. This time has now come for me. The two issues I am reflecting on are alcohol driven violence amongst youth and the genocide of Australian Aboriginals. It's therefore excellent timing that this film should come out now.

It's also a pity, and a poignant one, that this is not available on the Australian iTunes store and the film is not getting a run in mainstream cinemas there. It's therefore likely to be viewed by a crowd already convinced of the issues and well versed in them. This is a pity because the message is easily processed, it does not require expert knowledge to comprehend, and it refers to recent events with which all Australians are familiar such as the Northern Territory Emergency Response of 2007. It also contains interviews with an impressive caste of politicians, who, with the exception of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, conduct themselves appallingly. 

Call me an academic, but the only thing missing from this film is a list of references. I know it's not an academic offering so it's unfair to make such a request - that's why it's still got 5 stars from me - but it would be good to have a reference list for all of the facts cited in the film. I think this is important from the perspective of this film being a tool for change in Australian society. The film is less than 2 hours. It can be watched, but it can also be forgotten. With a list of references and perhaps a booklet or something to go with it summarising the message, perhaps listing some facts, it can become a more powerful resource perhaps for effecting change. If people can share not only the film but a simple document in the course of their discussions about it with others, then the change to our society may be more abrupt. 

John Pilger, I don't know you and I suspect I never will, but know that your film has affected at least one Australian and I will be writing about it and talking about it with my family and friends. Thank you. 
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I decided to try to create a short collection of facts to accompany the documentary. Sharing these with others will hopefully reinforce its message. First up here is a video about the genocide of Australian Aboriginals.

Continued here.