Archie Roach is an Australian household name, internationally recognised as one of the nation’s most impressive Indigenous musicians and advocates. But have you ever heard of Ruby Hunter?

Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow, created in partnership with Archie Roach and his family, shares rare and never before seen footage celebrating the love, lives and creative collaboration of Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter – an under-recognised, trailblazing young indigenous women with incredible talent.

The film elevates the career and contribution of Ruby Hunter, through inviting audiences into the world of the rehearsal room as Archie and Ruby prepare to perform at the premiere of Kura Tungar – Songs from the River, the result of a two-year collaboration with Paul Grabowsky and the Australian Art Orchestra. The film also explores the stories and social justice issues sitting behind the songs.

Tony Bourke, Minister for Arts, acknowledged the incredibly important role of the documentary in providing a timeless legacy for two of Australia’s most treasured Indigenous musicians when he brought the film to screen in parliament in 2022, a message reiterated by Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians.

With the death of Archie Roach in July 2022, Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow has become a significant and important legacy – an archive for all time documenting his and Ruby’s life stories through song and interview.

The film has brought together, through special event screenings, the next generation of First Nations singer songwriters – Alice Skye, Emily Wurramara, Emma Donovan – who have highlighted the significance of Ruby Hunter to their own lives and careers. First Nations leaders, Shelley Ware, Narelda Jacobs and Bridget Brennan have hosted events with a focus on the role of Ruby Hunter as a trailblazer for First Nation’s women nationally and internationally. The film has already been screened extensively by corporates, councils and community groups to recognise and honour the significance of both Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter and bring audiences together to discuss Country and culture.