Araatika: Rise Up
1 x 90 minutes for SBS Australia (2021)
A group of NRL greats got together to invent a new pre-game ceremony when playing for the Dreamtime and Indigenous All Stars teams, partly in response to the Maori Haka, but also to celebrate Aboriginal cultures and counter racism in rugby league. They now want to use that dance to change the hearts and minds of all Australians. This feature documentary follows ex-rugby league Indigenous player Dean Widders’ journey to make that happen – culminating in a performance that celebrates the strength, power and grace of Indigenous men.