The Grey Line
A story of Helen’s struggle to find her place in the world
We respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on this land and hope that by sharing this story we can continue building a brighter future together.
This is the story of Helen’s struggle to find her place in the world.
Taken from her parents during a time when Aboriginal children were removed from their families through Government mandated policy, Helen was raised by a middle-class family in the suburbs of Perth and believed she was their biological daughter until the age of 14.
Despite being raised by a very loving foster family, Helen has never felt like she truly belonged. Not white, not black, she walks a very lonely grey line.
This is her story of hurt, a longing to find her true self and to finally be accepted for who she is.
Watch the trailer
Media & Publicity
We have been lucky enough to have many publications and radio stations interested in our film. See below for links to our various stories.
Perth Now: Click Here
Film Ink: Click Here
Cinema Australia: Click Here
National Indigenous Times: Click Here
Radio/Podcasts
RTRFM: Click Here
Noongar Radio: Click Here
Cinema Australia: Click Here
Backstage WA: Click Here
About the Assimilation Policy
Unfortunately a large number of Australians are unaware of just how many lives have been affected by the acts of our past Governments.
Producing this film has been confronting. Unfortunately every indigenous person involved in this project has a close connection to what happened during this time, with one or more family members having been part of the Stolen Generations.
In 1997 the Commonwealth Government released the “Bringing them home” report, which states:
Between one in three and one in ten Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families from approximately 1910 until 1970.
In that time not one Indigenous family has escaped the effects of forcible removal.
If you would like to educate yourself further on this subject, you can download the full report, or read the summary here.
Private Screenings
In order to help build more cultural awareness around assimilation policy and the stolen generations we are offering private screenings for businesses and schools, along with a Q&A session with Helen Dwyer and her daughter Kayah Wills, who produced the film.
For details and costings >> DOWNLOAD THE FLYER
We also invite you to follow Life Films on our social media channels for updates and to help support the film.
Get in touch.
If you are interested to learn more about the film please fill in the form below.
About the project
Life Films was created by Director, Scott Quayle, to tell the stories of everyday people.
Scott came across Helen’s story after a chance conversation with friend, and Executive Producer of the film, Ian Hale.
After meeting Helen, and daughter Kayah, a plan of how the film might be produced on a micro budget was formed.
As the journey has continued, we have been overwhelmed by the support of industry professionals, colleagues, friends and family all willing to lend a hand to ensure this important story is shared.
It is our hope that by watching this film people will gain more knowledge about what happened to indigenous families during this horrific period and continue to open their hearts, their minds and engage in more meaningful and honest conversations around this subject.
Meet the cast and crew
Director - Scott Quayle | Executive Producer - Ian Hale | Director of Photography - Laundon Peacock | Producers - Kayah Wills, Amy Nyidi Smith
Music - Tristan Barton | Colour & Sound - Shane van Litsenborgh (Limitless Studios) | Photographer - Donna Fortune | Graphic Design - Four Stripes
Re-enactment Scenes - Amy Nyidi Smith, Phillip Quartermaine, Takoda Quartermaine, Paige Pryor, Dylan Wills, Donna Fortune
Special Thanks - Tracey Quayle, Chris De Marchi, Rebecca Pryor, Adam Roberts, Ronan Philpot, Ben Callen, Caleb Bond
