WANJA
2009, 26 MIN
Writer/Director: Angie Abdilila
A documentary about The Block, through the eyes of Auntie Barb and the life of Wanja her blue heeler dog, recently deceased. The Block’s many and varied stories of Wanja reflect on the issues affecting this indigenous community in the heart of Sydney.
Auntie Barb is an elder of Redfern’s community, who lived on the Block for twenty years with her family and dog, Wanja. Wanja was an integral part of the community, known to all for her ability to sniff out the police – in uniform and undercover. Wanja was the Block’s “guardian angel”.
Through Wanja, Aunty Barb and the community’s memories of this tenacious, loyal, smart and loving dog we learn about The Block at a time when there were elders and families, good housing and a strong sense of community. The stories of Wanja tell us how the tension between the community and police escalated, why the housing has continued to deteriorate and largely been demolished, and why the strength of the community - it’s elders, moved on.
IMAGE
resources
AWARDS
Finalist, short documentary competition. International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam. (IDFA)
Premiered Sydney Film Festival 2009