Kindred The Movie

https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/movie/kindred/2336873027687

“If there’s anything I’ve learnt in making this film, it’s that I think the best thing anyone can do in their life is tell their story. Good, bad or indifferent,” says Adrian Russell Wills.

Wills and his co-director and co-writer, Gillian Moody, have two powerful stories, but share one unique experience.

Moody, a Wodi Wodi woman, and Wills, a Wonnarua man, both grew up in white families.

As adopted Aboriginal children raised in affluent areas of Sydney’s northern beaches in the late 1970s, they were both disconnected from Country and culture throughout their childhood.

Now best friends, it seems they were destined to find each other.

“I used to go and swim down at the little beach there and we used to go to the same corner shop,” says Moody.

“There were so many moments and times that we could’ve bumped into each other in our teenage years, and it just never happened.

“I believe in those sort of things — fate and those moments of serendipity. When we met, that was when we were meant to meet.”

Their paths crossed by chance when Moody joined Wills’ production of his short film, 25 years ago.

Now, in their latest project, the filmmakers step in front of the camera to share their stories of finding and reconnecting with their bloodline families.