We acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and give respect to their Elders, past and present.

Read our Statement of Reflection
Skip to main content
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive

Archie Roach: A circle of life

2000

Archie Roach: A circle of life

2000

  • NFSA IDZHEC4SZZ
  • TypeFilm
  • MediumMoving Image
  • FormClip (an extract from a program or a music video clip), Documentary
  • GenresIndigenous themes or stories, Indigenous as subject
  • Year2000
  • WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons

This clip is an excerpt from the documentary film about the Stolen Generations, Land of the Little Kings (2000).

Archie Roach was two years old when he was forcibly separated from his family.

The metaphor of a circle, a broken circle and rejoining a circle, is obviously very important to him and its personal meaning and value is made explicit in this clip.

Although staged for the camera, his explanation is nonetheless presented authentically through the intimacy and simplicity of drawing a circle on the ground with his finger.

The camera direction is particularly effective as it slowly pans from ground level and from above, emphasising the circle he describes.

Notes by Beth Taylor and Adam Blackshaw

  • WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following program may contain images and/or audio of deceased persons

This clip is an excerpt from the documentary film about the Stolen Generations, Land of the Little Kings (2000).

Archie Roach was two years old when he was forcibly separated from his family.

The metaphor of a circle, a broken circle and rejoining a circle, is obviously very important to him and its personal meaning and value is made explicit in this clip.

Although staged for the camera, his explanation is nonetheless presented authentically through the intimacy and simplicity of drawing a circle on the ground with his finger.

The camera direction is particularly effective as it slowly pans from ground level and from above, emphasising the circle he describes.

Notes by Beth Taylor and Adam Blackshaw

  • Production Company
    Complete Post
Industry professional? Go Pro

Need to license this item? A/V professionals and researchers can shortlist licensing enquiries via our NFSA Pro catalogue search and membership.

Get started with PRO

Collections to explore

More in Stories+

Personalized your experience

Save, create and share

With NFSA Your Stuff