In March 2022, the NFSA presented the documentary Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow (2021) in Arc cinema. After the screening, I hosted a Q&A session with director Philippa Bateman:
Philippa Bateman in conversation with Karina Libbey at the NFSA about Wash My Soul in the River's Flow, March 2022.
Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow is a love story told in song and spoken word, from the points of view of Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter — First Nations singer-songwriters and icons of Australian music.
Roach has been named one of the most influential Australian artists of all time. Hunter was called a trailblazer back in 1993 when she was the first Indigenous woman to sign with a major record label, and she led the way for a new generation of First Nations women in music.
The documentary showcases archival footage of their 'Kura Tungar: Songs from the River' performance, created with Paul Grabowsky and the Australian Art Orchestra, alongside intimate interviews with Roach and Hunter, and behind-the-scenes footage of their preparation.
The film lays bare the story of their love, their relationship and their personal and collective traumas, and we learn how they have used music and song to express their history, and to heal.
Supported by gorgeous cinematography of Hunter’s Ngarrindjeri country in South Australia, and quotes from Ruby and from Archie’s memoir presented in English and Ngarrindjeri language, the film offers a layered approach to its acknowledgement of the artists and of culture.
During our conversation, Philippa talks about how she came to create this profoundly moving documentary and we were extremely grateful to be able to hear her experience.
Learn more about Archie and Ruby’s collaborations, history and performance and more specifically about Archie Roach.
Deep Dive: You Can Go Now, with Richard Bell
Deep Dive: Unit by Regurgitator, a classic Australian album
Deep Dive: Those Dashing McDonagh Sisters with Mandy Sayer
Deep Dive: Strictly Ballroom Q&A with Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice
Deep Dive: When the Camera Stopped Rolling Q&A with Jane Castle and Pat Fiske
Deep Dive: David Stratton – My Favourite Movies
Deep Dive: The Witch of Kings Cross Q&A with director Sonia Bible
Deep Dive: The Sentimental Bloke Q&A with composer Paul Mac
Deep Dive: Paul Barron interview
Deep Dive: Brazen Hussies Q&A with Catherine Dwyer and Elizabeth Reid
Deep Dive: Blue-Tongue Films Q&A with Nash Edgerton and David Michôd
Deep Dive: Trevor Graham and Mabo: Life of an Island Man
Deep Dive: Making Waves + Emma Bortignon
Deep Dive: Sunday Too Far Away
Deep Dive: Rolf de Heer discusses The Tracker
Deep Dive: Deborah Conway live at the NFSA
Deep Dive: Andrew Mason in conversation on The Matrix
Deep Dive: Ella Havelka and Douglas Watkin
Deep Dive: Ian Darling, Michael O'Loughlin, Tanya Hosch and Fran Kelly on The Final Quarter
Deep Dive: Powderfinger's Bernard Fanning and Producer Nick DiDia
Deep Dive: Richard Lowenstein in conversation about Mystify
Deep Dive: Jocelyn Moorhouse in Conversation
Deep Dive: David Stratton – 101 Marvellous Movies
Main image: Archie Roach. Photographer Martin Philbey. Courtesy of Wash My Soul Productions.
Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter were partners in life and music for more than 35 years before Ruby's death in 2010.
Celebrating the black and deadly women of Australian music, from Fanny Cochrane Smith in the 1890s to Jessica Mauboy in the 21st century.
This collection features sound recordings with cultural, historical and aesthetic significance that are by or about First Nations Australians.
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia acknowledges Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and gives respect to their Elders both past and present.
