“Resilient Hearts” is a powerful documentary about the triumph of the human spirit—a family torn apart by history and their remarkable journey towards healing, identity, and connection.
In a small South Australian town, six siblings were forcibly taken from their family, leaving wounds that spanned generations. This film traces their extraordinary path back to one another and their reclamation of culture, language, and self. At the heart of Resilient Hearts is Barngarla elder Lavinia, a woman whose story begins with unimaginable loss but unfolds into a journey of strength, hope, and rediscovery. Through Lavinia, we meet her siblings and witness a family’s profound effort to rebuild itself.
A key part of this journey lies in language reclamation that speaks to the power of identity and connection. Renowned linguist and language revivalist Professor Ghil’ad Zuckermann worked alongside the Barngarla community to breathe life back into their language. Using a 19th-century dictionary compiled by Lutheran Minister Klamor Wilhelm Schurmann, Professor Zuckermann applied his expertise to ensure this vital cultural thread was preserved and passed down.
This 15-year partnership between the Richards family and Professor Zuckermann demonstrates the extraordinary capacity of language to heal and unite. Today, their legacy is alive on the streets of Port Lincoln—seen in schools, language workshops, and digital spaces.
More than a documentary, Resilient Hearts celebrates survival, resilience, and the unbreakable connection to land, culture, and heritage. It is a story that inspires hope, illuminates the strength of family bonds, and honours the enduring spirit of the Barngarla people.
Your support for this project will help share this story with the world—a story of healing, reclaiming what was lost, and building a legacy for future generations.
