One of the great Australian feature films, this work was years ahead of time, not surprising given the creative team behind its production. From the pen of Thomas Keneally (who also wrote the book on which Schindler’s List was based) and the creative eye of one of Australia’s great cinema exports, Fred Schepisi, The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith is a classic big screen film.

Jimmie is a part-Indigenous young man. Understanding that things in his world are changing, he does what he can to make a world for himself straddling two cultures. Despite his best efforts, it’s not smooth sailing for Jimmie as situations spiral beyond his control to tragic results.

Featuring a top-notch cast of Australian screen greats including Jack Thompson, Ray Barrett and Ruth Cracknell, it is perhaps the unforgettable performance by the star of the film, Tom E. Lewis, that elevates this work into an Australian screen classic.