1 00:00:07,941 --> 00:00:09,741 [GENTLE GUITAR MUSIC] 2 00:00:16,821 --> 00:00:19,181 [MONTY] It was the morning after the Australia Day bash 3 00:00:19,261 --> 00:00:22,261 and I was the only bloke in the nation not hungover. 4 00:00:22,341 --> 00:00:23,941 Buddah, breakfast. 5 00:00:24,021 --> 00:00:26,021 [MONTY] But I did have a mean appetite. 6 00:00:29,061 --> 00:00:30,541 When Paulie stayed out all night, 7 00:00:30,621 --> 00:00:32,861 he'd come home so full of stories 8 00:00:32,941 --> 00:00:37,181 I'd need tea, milk and six hours of free time. 9 00:00:37,261 --> 00:00:39,181 Oh, OK. 10 00:00:51,061 --> 00:00:54,581 [MONTY] Any other morning, I would've stopped and conversed with the natives, 11 00:00:54,661 --> 00:00:58,061 but today, it was bacon over birds. 12 00:01:07,461 --> 00:01:09,021 [STARTS ENGINE] 13 00:01:18,941 --> 00:01:21,101 [SIREN WAILS] 14 00:01:24,341 --> 00:01:26,381 Nothing to see here, officers. 15 00:01:28,741 --> 00:01:29,901 [MONTY] Back in the day, 16 00:01:29,981 --> 00:01:32,581 the first thing the government would do to break a black fella 17 00:01:32,661 --> 00:01:34,541 was take them off the land. 18 00:01:34,621 --> 00:01:36,821 That robbed them of their spirit. 19 00:01:37,781 --> 00:01:40,501 Same thing would happen to me if they took my Merc. 20 00:01:48,901 --> 00:01:50,901 How long have you had this car? 21 00:01:52,141 --> 00:01:53,701 It's mine. 22 00:01:54,621 --> 00:01:56,501 Lucky you. 23 00:01:58,061 --> 00:01:59,861 You know why we pulled you over? 24 00:02:00,781 --> 00:02:02,661 [MONTY] Uh, because I'm black? 25 00:02:02,741 --> 00:02:04,141 No, why? 26 00:02:04,221 --> 00:02:05,741 You left your milk on the roof, mate. 27 00:02:05,821 --> 00:02:07,901 Oh, well, there's that too. 28 00:02:07,981 --> 00:02:09,821 Didn't you see those girls waving? 29 00:02:12,261 --> 00:02:13,861 Is that a crime? 30 00:02:13,941 --> 00:02:15,981 Not unless you stain the duco on this beauty. 31 00:02:16,901 --> 00:02:19,741 I would love to spend a bit of time in her. 32 00:02:20,901 --> 00:02:22,621 If you know what I mean. 33 00:02:24,261 --> 00:02:25,501 You have a good one. 34 00:02:30,261 --> 00:02:32,741 [MONTY] There's a first time for everything 35 00:02:32,821 --> 00:02:36,261 and that was the first time a copper did me a good turn. 36 00:02:39,141 --> 00:02:41,261 Couldn't wait to tell Paulie. 37 00:02:43,741 --> 00:02:46,221 Paulie! You're home, my brother. 38 00:02:46,301 --> 00:02:49,021 Hey, you won't believe what just happened with me and the cops. 39 00:02:49,101 --> 00:02:51,061 You had a big night, hey, Buddah? 40 00:03:01,341 --> 00:03:04,341 Paulie...what happened? 41 00:03:10,901 --> 00:03:12,621 [THUMPING AND GROANING] 42 00:03:14,861 --> 00:03:17,061 [MONTY] After they'd bailed him up outside the pub, 43 00:03:17,141 --> 00:03:19,301 they took him down to the station. 44 00:03:19,381 --> 00:03:21,181 [GASPS] 45 00:03:30,901 --> 00:03:33,261 They made him pay for talking back. 46 00:03:34,261 --> 00:03:37,581 We're going to get pizza. Don't fall asleep. 47 00:03:39,061 --> 00:03:40,621 First with his body. 48 00:03:42,301 --> 00:03:44,141 Then with his spirit. 49 00:03:45,021 --> 00:03:46,901 [GASPS] 50 00:03:54,781 --> 00:03:56,301 Come here. 51 00:03:56,381 --> 00:03:58,621 [DISTANT DIDGERIDOO] 52 00:04:18,141 --> 00:04:20,261 [DIDGERIDOO INTENSIFIES] 53 00:04:48,941 --> 00:04:52,981 [MONTY] When your spirit's gone, your body is an empty shell. 54 00:05:00,781 --> 00:05:03,061 [DIDGERIDOO CONTINUES] 55 00:05:40,181 --> 00:05:42,381 [DIDGERIDOO CONTINUES] 56 00:06:17,021 --> 00:06:21,101 The body must follow the spirit. They cannot be parted. 57 00:06:26,661 --> 00:06:29,261 But sometimes, the body is scared. 58 00:06:33,181 --> 00:06:35,541 So Paulie helped it along. 59 00:06:37,501 --> 00:06:39,621 [DIDGERIDOO CONTINUES] 60 00:06:42,861 --> 00:06:44,061 [MUSIC STOPS ABRUPTLY] 61 00:07:03,661 --> 00:07:06,301 [MONTY] The royal commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody 62 00:07:06,381 --> 00:07:09,141 looked into Paulie's death. 63 00:07:09,221 --> 00:07:13,461 They said the officers' conduct fell well below what was expected. 64 00:07:13,541 --> 00:07:16,941 They got off with a warning and that was the end of it. 65 00:07:19,861 --> 00:07:25,141 I closed myself off to the world and buried my head deep within the sand. 66 00:07:26,901 --> 00:07:28,301 Wasn't pretty down there. 67 00:07:28,381 --> 00:07:31,621 [JULIE, THROUGH A WINDOW PLAYS] ♪ As though it was yesterday ♪ 68 00:07:38,341 --> 00:07:42,141 ♪ I remember your voice ♪ 69 00:07:42,221 --> 00:07:49,701 ♪ But my song is the only way I can talk to you now ♪ 70 00:07:54,901 --> 00:07:57,941 ♪ If I feel you beside me ♪ 71 00:08:04,621 --> 00:08:08,501 ♪ I'll try not to weep ♪ 72 00:08:08,581 --> 00:08:15,821 ♪ But I cry when I'm frustrated, you should be talking to me ♪ 73 00:08:19,101 --> 00:08:21,061 ♪ Like you say ♪ 74 00:08:21,141 --> 00:08:23,301 ♪ The tips of my fingers ♪ 75 00:08:23,381 --> 00:08:26,661 ♪ Are less than you have ♪ 76 00:08:28,021 --> 00:08:35,820 ♪ Without the chance for me to say goodbye ♪ 77 00:08:44,941 --> 00:08:48,021 ♪ I'm not as strong as you ♪ 78 00:08:49,981 --> 00:08:52,421 ♪ Would like to believe. ♪ 79 00:08:52,501 --> 00:08:54,381 [MONTY] I decided to follow Paulie. 80 00:08:54,461 --> 00:08:58,301 ♪ But you can't tell me what to do ♪ 81 00:08:58,381 --> 00:09:01,221 ♪ For I'll cry if I have to ♪ 82 00:09:01,301 --> 00:09:05,101 ♪ Not frown if you think I'm weak ♪ 83 00:09:10,461 --> 00:09:14,901 ♪ You shaped me into a star ♪ 84 00:09:21,061 --> 00:09:25,181 ♪ And threw me into the sky ♪ 85 00:09:25,261 --> 00:09:28,981 ♪ You pushed that I kept the right path ♪ 86 00:09:29,061 --> 00:09:32,821 ♪ Sit back and watch me fly ♪ 87 00:09:32,901 --> 00:09:34,781 ♪ Like you said ♪ 88 00:09:34,861 --> 00:09:37,021 ♪ The tips of my fingers ♪ 89 00:09:37,101 --> 00:09:40,181 ♪ Are less than you have ♪ 90 00:09:42,101 --> 00:09:49,021 ♪ Without the chance for me to say goodbye. ♪ 91 00:09:49,101 --> 00:09:51,101 It'll be good eating tonight, Paulie. 92 00:09:51,181 --> 00:09:53,141 I'll go check on the stingrays. 93 00:09:53,221 --> 00:09:56,781 ♪ Without the chance for me to say goodbye. ♪ 94 00:10:05,141 --> 00:10:07,661 [GENTLE PIANO REFRAIN] 95 00:10:50,141 --> 00:10:52,021 Which one did he give ya? 96 00:10:52,101 --> 00:10:53,261 Which what? 97 00:10:53,341 --> 00:10:55,181 I know he gave you a story. 98 00:10:55,261 --> 00:10:57,781 Maybe he did, maybe he didn't. 99 00:10:57,861 --> 00:11:00,221 -Come on, which one was it? -Can't tell ya. 100 00:11:01,301 --> 00:11:03,141 It was the stingray one, wasn't it? 101 00:11:03,221 --> 00:11:05,421 You could tell the way Dad's arms were moving. 102 00:11:05,501 --> 00:11:08,101 -Like how? -Like this. 103 00:11:08,181 --> 00:11:10,541 -That's not how they go. -How would you know? 104 00:11:10,621 --> 00:11:12,821 Because Dad told me all about it! 105 00:11:13,981 --> 00:11:16,661 [GENTLE PIANO REFRAIN] 106 00:11:35,861 --> 00:11:37,701 [SHOUTS] 107 00:11:37,781 --> 00:11:38,821 Hey. 108 00:11:40,381 --> 00:11:41,901 Why haven't I got that story? 109 00:11:42,781 --> 00:11:45,381 Why'd you tell him? I'm older. 110 00:11:45,461 --> 00:11:47,741 I didn't tell it, Mont. 111 00:11:47,821 --> 00:11:50,101 The spirits told it through me. 112 00:11:50,941 --> 00:11:54,661 They wanted Paulie to learn, knew it was his time. 113 00:11:54,741 --> 00:11:57,461 His mind must've been in the right place. 114 00:11:57,541 --> 00:11:59,421 When is it my time? 115 00:12:01,181 --> 00:12:05,261 [MONTY] Stingrays, spirits and death, it's all in the timing. 116 00:12:09,261 --> 00:12:14,261 I didn't know it then, but sometimes it's good when it's not your time. 117 00:12:15,381 --> 00:12:17,861 Probably why I used a rope meant for tying trucks, 118 00:12:17,941 --> 00:12:19,981 not for hanging black fellas. 119 00:12:28,101 --> 00:12:30,381 I wanted to be rid of everything. 120 00:12:33,341 --> 00:12:35,141 I sold the lot. 121 00:12:50,421 --> 00:12:53,021 [MONTY] And I mean everything. 122 00:13:05,701 --> 00:13:09,381 I wanted to forget. It hurt so much. 123 00:13:11,461 --> 00:13:13,781 But a certain someone had other ideas. 124 00:13:13,861 --> 00:13:15,981 [PHONE RINGS] 125 00:13:21,621 --> 00:13:23,741 [PHONE CONTINUES RINGING] 126 00:13:37,421 --> 00:13:38,501 [PHONE CONTINUES RINGING] 127 00:13:39,861 --> 00:13:41,181 What? 128 00:13:41,261 --> 00:13:42,821 Is that how you answer a phone? 129 00:13:43,741 --> 00:13:45,461 -Busy, Mum. -[MUM] You're coming home. 130 00:13:45,541 --> 00:13:47,341 -Why? -'Cause it's time. 131 00:13:47,421 --> 00:13:49,541 -And you're not right. -I've got a lot on. 132 00:13:49,621 --> 00:13:51,581 -We all have, Monty. -I don't have a car. 133 00:13:51,661 --> 00:13:54,541 -And can't you afford one? -Of course I can, I'm a grown man. 134 00:13:54,621 --> 00:13:56,701 Well, then get one and get your moy-you back up here! 135 00:13:56,781 --> 00:13:58,341 -Easy. -Well, I'll see you Friday. 136 00:13:58,421 --> 00:13:59,861 Make it Wednesday. 137 00:14:01,101 --> 00:14:03,221 [MONTY] Jeez, I sure showed her. 138 00:14:10,541 --> 00:14:12,621 I should've been there more. 139 00:14:13,701 --> 00:14:15,421 I should've been there more. 140 00:14:16,781 --> 00:14:18,421 Should've been there, Paul! 141 00:14:50,861 --> 00:14:53,141 [MONTY] Home was the last place I wanted to be. 142 00:14:54,301 --> 00:14:55,581 Too many memories. 143 00:14:55,661 --> 00:14:57,141 [EXHALES] 144 00:14:58,661 --> 00:15:00,941 But my mum was a force I couldn't reckon with. 145 00:15:20,861 --> 00:15:22,261 [CLEARS THROAT] 146 00:15:23,901 --> 00:15:25,941 Porra! 147 00:15:26,021 --> 00:15:27,661 [SQUEALS] 148 00:15:27,741 --> 00:15:31,381 [MONTY] My sister, Chicky. Basically Mum in tight jeans. 149 00:15:31,461 --> 00:15:33,261 I missed you! 150 00:15:33,341 --> 00:15:34,741 Missed you too, Chicky. 151 00:15:34,821 --> 00:15:37,461 Hey, you sound like a white fella! 152 00:15:37,541 --> 00:15:39,581 Hey, look out. 153 00:15:39,661 --> 00:15:41,221 Too long in the city, I suppose. 154 00:15:41,301 --> 00:15:44,701 [POSH VOICE] Oh, too long in the city, I positively do suppose. 155 00:15:44,781 --> 00:15:46,461 [LAUGHS] 156 00:15:46,541 --> 00:15:49,421 Mont, I'm only gammin'. 157 00:15:50,621 --> 00:15:52,981 Hey, you know we're all sad... 158 00:15:53,061 --> 00:15:54,461 Chicky? It's not just you. 159 00:15:54,541 --> 00:15:55,981 Hey, look out! 160 00:15:56,061 --> 00:15:58,141 Yeah, he's visiting from Buckingham Palace. 161 00:15:58,221 --> 00:16:00,421 Mum, Mont's here! 162 00:16:00,501 --> 00:16:02,021 My son. 163 00:16:06,261 --> 00:16:08,941 Look at you. My boy. 164 00:16:15,501 --> 00:16:19,101 It's yours, Dad. I don't want it. 165 00:16:24,021 --> 00:16:26,941 He got a lotta spirit for your brother. 166 00:16:28,421 --> 00:16:30,981 -Paulie wanted you to have it. -Yeah? 167 00:16:32,141 --> 00:16:33,541 Look what happened to him. 168 00:16:38,461 --> 00:16:40,701 -We got ceremony tonight. -I'm not coming! 169 00:16:40,781 --> 00:16:42,301 Of course you are. 170 00:16:47,781 --> 00:16:49,501 It's alright. 171 00:16:51,021 --> 00:16:52,341 It's OK. 172 00:16:53,581 --> 00:16:55,941 -It hurts so. -I know. 173 00:16:56,701 --> 00:16:57,821 I know, baby. 174 00:17:00,381 --> 00:17:02,221 It really hurts. 175 00:17:02,301 --> 00:17:03,741 I know. 176 00:17:03,821 --> 00:17:05,821 It's OK, bro. Bro. 177 00:17:05,901 --> 00:17:07,620 You're home, bro. 178 00:17:07,701 --> 00:17:09,981 [DISTANT DIDGERIDOO PLAYS] 179 00:17:13,741 --> 00:17:16,061 [MONTY] That night was a naming ceremony. 180 00:17:17,301 --> 00:17:22,301 The elders hold the baby close to the fire so it gets the warmth. 181 00:17:24,061 --> 00:17:28,901 They speak language to it and give it a birth name, an Aboriginal name. 182 00:17:28,981 --> 00:17:32,621 When I was young, we weren't allowed one of those. 183 00:17:35,901 --> 00:17:38,541 Despite all the whitening forced upon them, 184 00:17:38,621 --> 00:17:42,981 the old people had ways and means of passing things on 185 00:17:43,061 --> 00:17:47,901 so the culture stayed alive, even when their children didn't. 186 00:17:54,221 --> 00:17:58,301 Paulie was our dancer, our singer, our storyteller... 187 00:17:58,381 --> 00:18:00,221 and he was gone. 188 00:18:02,821 --> 00:18:06,741 He fought so hard to keep his culture, our culture. 189 00:18:06,821 --> 00:18:08,581 What had I done? 190 00:18:11,741 --> 00:18:13,381 You back, young fella? 191 00:18:13,461 --> 00:18:14,741 Where you been? 192 00:18:17,421 --> 00:18:18,501 Hiya. 193 00:18:18,581 --> 00:18:22,621 You come sit down with me now. I got something for you. 194 00:18:29,941 --> 00:18:31,941 [MONTY] It was my time. 195 00:18:48,381 --> 00:18:52,141 And that's when he gave me his name, Boori. 196 00:18:52,221 --> 00:18:56,381 It means fire, where the old people give their stories. 197 00:18:56,461 --> 00:18:58,221 Storykeeper. 198 00:18:59,301 --> 00:19:02,141 An old name and a new purpose. 199 00:19:11,741 --> 00:19:15,621 And Dad finally gave me that stingray story. 200 00:19:15,701 --> 00:19:20,301 It's the story of a lost boy, that's why Paulie got it first. 201 00:19:22,781 --> 00:19:26,581 When Paulie left us, I realised just how lost I'd become, 202 00:19:26,661 --> 00:19:28,621 stuck between two worlds. 203 00:19:28,701 --> 00:19:32,621 It was time to reach out to one by preserving the other. 204 00:19:32,701 --> 00:19:35,301 But first, there was something I needed to get back. 205 00:19:35,381 --> 00:19:38,021 [BRIGHT UPBEAT MUSIC] 206 00:19:40,101 --> 00:19:42,581 [BOORI] People often ask me whether there's anything good 207 00:19:42,661 --> 00:19:44,421 that white fellas brought with them. 208 00:19:44,501 --> 00:19:49,101 I tell them literacy and the Mercedes V8 turbo compressor. 209 00:19:49,181 --> 00:19:50,861 [DISCO MUSIC PLAYING] 210 00:19:58,181 --> 00:20:00,101 [BOORI] Paulie had taught culture in schools. 211 00:20:00,181 --> 00:20:03,421 One school still had him booked. 212 00:20:03,501 --> 00:20:05,621 I decided to go in his place. 213 00:20:05,701 --> 00:20:09,461 I must've sat in my car for at least a half an hour. 214 00:20:09,541 --> 00:20:13,221 I'd been a model, a DJ, a human rights champion, 215 00:20:13,301 --> 00:20:15,341 a really ordinary drunk, 216 00:20:15,421 --> 00:20:16,981 but I'd never been a teacher. 217 00:20:17,061 --> 00:20:18,461 I was terrified. 218 00:20:18,541 --> 00:20:20,261 This one's for you, Paulie. 219 00:20:20,341 --> 00:20:22,861 [DIDGERIDOO PLAYS] 220 00:20:46,261 --> 00:20:50,341 [BOORI] If us black fellas lose our spirituality, our culture, 221 00:20:50,421 --> 00:20:52,861 then you lose it too.