Celebrate NAIDOC Week By Getting Stuck Into This Deadly First Nations Content

Happy NAIDOC week, you mob!

If you’re an introverted TV and film addict like me, there’s no better way to appreciate than to watch the things we make. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the oldest storytellers in the world, so why not celebrate that with some fresh new content?

Here’s some of the deadly First Nations programming streaming from this week. 

The Last Daughter (Documentary, Netflix)

A true story, The Lost Daughter tracks Wiradjuri woman, Brenda Matthew’s investigation into her family. As a member of the Stolen Generations, the truth of her upbringing is complicated, fragmented, and traumatic.

Co-directed by Matthews, The Lost Daughter is an honest and personal exploration of the childhood she is only just now beginning to piece together and features interviews with both her white foster family and her Aboriginal family.

True Colours (Crime Drama, SBS, Netflix)

Having interviewed the creators of True Colours last year, I can personally confirm this is a murder mystery like no other. Starring Rarriwuy Hick and Luke Arnold, True Colours made history by having one third of its dialogue in traditional language. The story follows a detective who must investigate her own community after a teenager is killed in a car crash, but not everything is as it seems.

Firebite (Fantasy Drama, SBS On Demand)

If documentaries and crime dramas aren’t your style, and you’re partial to a deadly vampire slayer story, boy have I got the show for you. Co-created by legendary Kaytej director Warwick Thornton, Firebite follows iconic father-daughter vampire hunting duo Tyson (Rob Collins) and Shanika (Shantae Barnes-Cowan), who are on the trail of one of the oldest vampires in Australia who first arrived here as a stowaway the First Fleet. But vampires are drawn to Aboriginal blood so the question becomes: who’s hunting who? Firebite is streaming exclusively on SBS On Demand.

Wash My Soul In The River’s Flow (Documentary, ABC)

This year’s NAIDOC theme is ‘For Our Elders’, and is all about appreciating those in our community whose knowledge continues to guide and lead us and who have paved the way for the next generation. Which is why, if you love music and love love, Wash My Soul In The River’s Flow is the documentary for you. The film follows the epic love story of Uncle Archie Roach and Aunty Ruby Hunter, as told and sung by them. Wash My Soul is streaming on ABC iview.

We Are Still Here (Movie, Netflix)

If you love a good short film, We Are Still Here is a film made up of eight incredible short films from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori filmmakers. The films range from a post-apocalyptic plan gone wrong, to the most unlikely of friends being made on the battlefield at Gallipoli, to stunning animated afterlives. When I saw the film at SFF last year, I wept embarrassingly loudly with joy several times. It’s streaming on Netflix now.

Preppers (Comedy, ABC, Netflix)

Don’t sleep on Preppers. Created by Nakkiah Lui and starring the late great Uncle Jack Charles, Preppers is one of the best comedies to come out of the last decade. After reporter Charlie (Lui) has a meltdown live on air, she hightails it to her Nanna’s land claim to hide from reality and discovers her grandmother leased the land to a bunch of doomsday preppers. One problem: they’re the most incompetent doomsday preppers ever. Preppers is streaming on Netflix and ABC iview.

Limbo (ABC)

From the original creator of Mystery Road, Gamilaroi director Ivan Sen’s new film promises another compelling, dark detective story. Starring Simon Baker as jaded detective Travis Hurley who is drawn to a 20-year-old cold case in the remote Outback. The film premieres this Sunday at 8:30pm.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the oldest storytellers in the world. Why not celebrate NAIDOC by honouring that with some damn good stories?

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Merryana Salem is a proud Wonnarua and Lebanese–Australian writer, critic, teacher and podcaster. Follow them on Twitter.