Synopsis

This feature documentary tracks 50 years of First Nations activism in Australia, shown through the lens of contemporary Australian First Nations artist Richard Bell.

Richard Bell is one of the most important contemporary artists in Australia and one of the most important First Nations contemporary artists in the world today.

Richard’s work challenges preconceived ideas about Aboriginal people and art, taking part in national and international debates surrounding identity and politics. From his first works in Redfern in the 1970s to having his Tent Embassy(s) headline Documenta and take over the Turbine Room at the Tate Modern in 2021, War & Order will not only track the course of Richard’s remarkable career as an artist and provocateur, but it will also look at his strong ongoing commitment to the politics of Aboriginal emancipation and self-determination.

A supporting cast of artists, academics, musicians and more will flesh out this journey of over 50 years. Richard’s often collaborative art practice will be the lens through which to examine First nations activism in Australia and beyond, how much it has achieved and how much is yet to be done.