Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow (2022)
Philippa Bateman
Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow (still)
2022
Digital video, colour, sound
89 minutes
Image courtesy of the artist
Overview
Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow (2022) explores the personal relationship and musical partnership of First Nations singer-songwriters Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter as they rehearse and perform for the 2004 premiere of Kura Tungar—Songs from the River, presented in collaboration with Paul Grabowsky and the 22-piece Australian Art Orchestra. In footage combining conversations, practice sessions and the opening night performance with images of the Ngarrindjeri country in South Australia, the film depicts artists at the peak of their powers, recounting a moving story of loss, love, political struggle and the meaning of coming ‘home’.