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With a national vote approaching to enshrine Indigenous peoples voice in the constitution in late 2023, VOICE follows in verité style, a dynamic Indigenous youth group who travel on a pilgrimage across Australia to commemorate a historic civil rights victory.
Buoyed by the imminent referendum, the group voyage through ephemeral Australian landscape in the microcosm of a minibus, sharing the rich, multilayered stories of their personal histories, as they dream up a hopeful new vision for Australia. As the results of the vote are counted, it’s impact on their future offer two paths - a hopeful breakthrough or another chapter in the long fight for recognition. |
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Director Biography - Krunal Suresh PadhiarKrunal is a first-time documentary filmmaker focused on social impact. He earned an honors degree in English Literature, Media, and Cultural Studies from London in 2013, with research and writing centered on identity and culture, shaped by his personal upbringing.
In 2015, during the European refugee crisis, Krunal volunteered as a community liaison officer and humanitarian photographer. His work with war victims underscored the importance of agency and preserving dignity. Krunal also traveled extensively through Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia, immersing himself in Indigenous cultures and traditions. These experiences taught him holistic principles fundamental to Indigenous ways of relating, particularly the value of reciprocity. |
Director Statement
The director's relationship with the participants, who run a grassroots youth organization called “Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good” (DIYDG), developed through an unexpected but meaningful connection. Initially, the director intended to film an Indigenous-led men’s health organisation planning a pilgrimage 3,000 kilometres from their hometown to commemorate a historic Indigenous Civil Rights Victory from 1976, known as “Freedom Day.” However, the men’s group could not make the journey, and DIYDG invited Krunal to join their pilgrimage instead.
With just two weeks’ notice and limited prior knowledge of the participants, the production evolved into an intimate, heartfelt portrayal of human rights and personal experiences that resonated deeply with the director. The film’s essence is rooted in the collaboration with DIYDG, whose time, energy, and advocacy work are central to the narrative. This partnership reflects generations of dedication, which the director has honoured in the final edit. Visually and stylistically, VOICE highlights themes of country and family. The concept of country is depicted as a living, breathing entity, emphasising a symbiotic relationship with it.
The film values caring for family and community as a paramount ideal, which fosters a sense of belonging and is nurtured through reciprocal practices. The director also incorporates an eclectic range of sounds to subtly evoke the ancient spirit of the lands as reflective of ancestral honouring.
This documentary exemplifies what can be achieved when filmmakers and nonprofit leaders unite with a shared vision. It captures the spirit and hope of a generation committed to their rights and future, ensuring their stories are told with integrity and passion.
With just two weeks’ notice and limited prior knowledge of the participants, the production evolved into an intimate, heartfelt portrayal of human rights and personal experiences that resonated deeply with the director. The film’s essence is rooted in the collaboration with DIYDG, whose time, energy, and advocacy work are central to the narrative. This partnership reflects generations of dedication, which the director has honoured in the final edit. Visually and stylistically, VOICE highlights themes of country and family. The concept of country is depicted as a living, breathing entity, emphasising a symbiotic relationship with it.
The film values caring for family and community as a paramount ideal, which fosters a sense of belonging and is nurtured through reciprocal practices. The director also incorporates an eclectic range of sounds to subtly evoke the ancient spirit of the lands as reflective of ancestral honouring.
This documentary exemplifies what can be achieved when filmmakers and nonprofit leaders unite with a shared vision. It captures the spirit and hope of a generation committed to their rights and future, ensuring their stories are told with integrity and passion.
