Directors: Jillian Mundy and Troy Melville
Synopsis: Milaythina Rrukani speaks to the power of language. Lutruwita was colonised and renamed Tasmania in the 1800s; original names spoken for thousands of years were changed. In Milaythina Rrukani we travel on country with Lutruwita’s First People as they talk about their personal connection to language and place. The film is about the resonance language creates, the power of speaking names on country and the connection it builds between people, land and time.
Directors’ Statement: When Lutruwita (Tasmania) was colonised, just over 200 years ago, every place and geographical feature, including all the rivers, islands, hills, plains and lakes had First Nations names.
By and large Colonists ignored these names, choosing to replace them with names reflecting English places, people and narratives – erasing First Nations history, connections, stories and more.
In the past few decades through research, advocacy and determination, often in the face of cruel and demeaning criticism, there has been a reawakening of First Nations language.
We wanted to create a film that documents a time when we are starting to see an expansion of those First Nation names in Lutruwita – respecting and reflecting the story of this land and the oldest living culture on the planet.
The film aims to show the truth and power of speaking Aboriginal place names on country. We hope audiences reflect on their relationship with the country, that we live, work and play on for just a short time.