Watch The Song Keepers

The Song Keepers is a heartfelt and soulful documentary film from 2017 that tells the beautiful story of a group of Aboriginal women from Central Australia who have come together to form the Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir. The film follows the choir as they embark on a journey to keep a treasured part of their culture alive, sharing their music with audiences both nationally and internationally.

Directed by Naina Sen, The Song Keepers is a powerful exploration of the transformative power of music, and how it can bring people together despite cultural differences. Through beautiful cinematography and powerful storytelling, the film sheds light on the inspiring women who make up the choir, and the valuable role they play in the preservation of Indigenous Australian music traditions.

Led by Morris Stuart, an African American pastor, the choir has been together for over twenty years, travelling across the Outback of Australia to sing in churches both big and small. The members of the choir come from small communities, and many of them can't read music, instead learning traditional songs by ear from their elders. However, through the work of Stuart and the choir's musical director, Robert Borgas, the choir has developed a unique sound that blends traditional Aboriginal music with Western choral styles.

Despite the choir's popularity in their home country, they embark on their biggest adventure yet when they receive an invitation to travel to Germany to perform in the ultimate musical arena, the Konzerthaus Berlin. The film follows the choir on this journey, as they struggle to fundraise for the trip while juggling their jobs and family responsibilities. But their determination to share their music with the world never wavers, and their performances in Germany are truly uplifting and emotional.

Throughout the film, we get to know the members of the choir on a personal level, hearing their stories and learning about their culture and traditions. We see how important singing is to these women, and how it has helped them to overcome adversity and connect with their community. We also witness the challenges that come with living in rural and remote areas of Australia, including the impact of colonisation and the struggle to preserve cultural identity and language.

One of the most poignant moments in the film comes when the choir visits the Berlin Wall Memorial. Here, they perform a traditional Aboriginal song, expressing their solidarity with those who have suffered from division and oppression in Germany's past. This moment is particularly powerful, highlighting the universal language of music and the power of connection that can be forged across cultural divides.

Overall, The Song Keepers is a beautifully crafted film that captures the joy and spirit of the Central Australian Aboriginal Women's Choir. It's a tribute to the incredible music traditions of Indigenous Australia and the strong, resilient women who are keeping them alive for future generations. Through their music, these women are breaking down barriers and inspiring audiences across the globe, and this film is a perfect celebration of their amazing work.

The Song Keepers is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.1.