Kindred
By Kit Macdonald
Kindred is an autobiographical documentary by Gillian Moody and Adrian Russell Wills, two friends of Aboriginal descent who were adopted by white families. The film follows them as they reconnect with their biological families years later, in the process reliving the trauma of separation and the difficulty of sharing their experiences.
Via a blend of archival footage, personal interviews, and re-enactments, Kindred vividly sets out what it takes for Moody and Wills to successfully navigate life between their two worlds, one Indigenous and one white. Themes of identity, belonging and reconnection are to the fore in a film that expertly explores the importance of discovering your place in the world, the complexities of family, isolation and belonging, and concludes that the people and places close to one's heart are where home and love are found.