Facing the Numbers
Behind every statistic is a story.
Facing the Numbers is a genre pushing film anthology that explores First Nations disadvantage in Australia's legal system. Grounded in truth-telling, the series showcases the remarkable strength and resilience of First Nations people who are still here protecting Country, culture and community; despite what the numbers may say.
Through deeply personal testimonies, Facing the Numbers demonstrates how colonial policies, institutional racism and intergenerational trauma continue to shape the experiences of Aboriginal people within Australia's legal systems, by giving voice to lives too often reduced to data.
The anthology holds raw and cinematic recreations of lived experiences of Uncle Michael ‘Widdy’ Welsh (Wongaibon), Geoffrey Johnson (Wiradjuri), Kylie Hampton (Gurindji), Matthew Coe (Wiradjuri) and the family of Mark Mason Snr (Gomeroi).
First Nations people make up 3.8% of Australia’s population.
Yet we account for more than 37% of the adult prison system.
Support our mob to change the statistics.
Credits
Storytellers: Uncle Michael 'Widdy' Welsh (Wongaibon), Geoffrey Johnson (Wiradjuri), Kylie Hampton (Gurindji), Matthew Coe (Wiradjuri), Mark Mason Jnr, Darlene Mason & Deidre Murray
Starring: Sherry-Lee Watson, Wesley Patten, Haylee Rivers, Luke Currie-Richardson, Pamela Young & Donald Mallard
Introducing: Clayton Spencer, Isaiah Brown, Matthew "Bubba" Coe, Matari Johnson, MarKeizija Deidrearna Mason & Christopher Wilschefski
Writers: Tyson Perkins (Arrernte and Kalkadoon) & Kieran Satour (Gurindji/Malngin, Pertame Arrernte & Worimi)
Directors: Tyson Perkins and Kieran Satour
Executive Producers: Kieran Satour, Rona Glynn-McDonald, Collis Ta'eed, Will Alexander, Michael Ritchie, Genevieve Grieves, Ramona Telecican, Andrea Distefano & Maddy Madden
Producers: Kieran Satour & Ramona Telecican
Director of Photography: Tyson Perkins
Editor: Andrew Holmes
Original Music by: Daniel Rankine p/k/a trials, Freya Berkhout, Jai Pyne, Laughton Kora, Leon Rodgers, Matt Mason, Nerve & Vincent Goodyer
Poetry: Dr Romaine Moreton & Kobie Dee
Casting: Daniel Berini, CGA
Choreographer: Beau Dean Riley Smith
Additional Choreography: Luke Currie-Richardson
Production Designers: Elisa Baker, Kris Brujic, Octavia Spartels
Costume Designers: Craig Cook, Elisa Baker, Octavia Spartels
Production Partner: Revolver
Consulting Producers: Belinda Mravicic, Jodie Passmore, Laurrie Mansfield and Lisa Albert
Associate Producers: Maya Ghattas and Simone Mugavin
Line Producers: Janny Biltof and Lily Warland
Stunt Training: Jesse Rowles
Dramaturge: Pamela Young
Development Associates: Jess Hamilton
Research Producer: Peta-Lee Cole-Manolis
Production Managers: Elaine Roy and Michaela Le
Production Coordinator: Amber Rose
Production Assistants: Bridget Shapter, Grace Boffa, Kiah Carter, Miah Kennett and Olivia Roy
Director’s Attachments: Eliza Salvatori, Tace Stevens and Talia Spears-Liddle
Sound Department: Heckler Sound
Behind the Scenes Photographer: James Evans
Conceived by Common Ground, GARUWA & Tyson Perkins
Principal production partners
Production partners
Supporting partners
Pool of Dreams, WeirAnderson Foundation & Reichstein Foundation
Financed with the assistance of Documentary Australia and First Australians Capital
Production partner
Post-production partner
Developed and produced in collaboration with
Produced by
This project was filmed on Arrernte, Dharug, Dhunghutti, Gadigal, Gameygal & Wangal Lands.
We pay deep respects to these Traditional Owners, their Ancestors & Elders.
We are honoured to share these stories of survival and resilience with the world.
May Facing the Numbers be a source of healing, pride, and empowerment.
Sovereignty was never ceded. Always was. Always will be.