Watch Servant or Slave

"Servant or Slave" is a powerful and deeply affecting documentary film that tells the story of five Aboriginal women who were taken from their families as children and forced into domestic servitude by the Australian government. The film, directed by Steven McGregor and produced by David Jowsey, takes a candid and unflinching look at the brutal realities of the Stolen Generations, shedding light on a dark chapter in Australia's history that has been too often ignored.

The film follows the lives of Rita, Violet, Adelaide, Valerie, and Cheyenne, all of whom were taken from their families as children and sent to work as domestic servants in white households. They were subjected to physical and emotional abuse, denied access to education, and robbed of their cultural heritage. Many of them were also subjected to sexual abuse by their employers and their employers' family members.

Through interviews with the women themselves, as well as with experts on the Stolen Generations and Aboriginal history, "Servant or Slave" paints a vivid and troubling portrait of a system of government-sanctioned abuse that went on for decades. The film also explores the long-lasting trauma that these women and their families continue to experience, and the ongoing struggle for justice and recognition that they face.

One of the most striking aspects of "Servant or Slave" is its emphasis on the resilience and strength of the women at its center. Despite the immense trauma they endured, they have all managed to rebuild their lives and reclaim their identities as Aboriginal women. The film draws attention to the importance of community and family in this process, as well as to the ongoing need for support and healing for those affected by the Stolen Generations.

Another key theme of the film is the importance of bearing witness to these experiences and acknowledging the historical injustices that have been committed against Aboriginal people in Australia. As one of the women at the center of the film says, "We want people to know that this happened. We want people to know the truth." "Servant or Slave" is an important and deeply moving contribution to this ongoing project of truth-telling and reconciliation.

Overall, "Servant or Slave" is a powerful and haunting film that shines a light on a little-known but devastating chapter in Australia's history. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of Aboriginal women, and a call to action for all Australians to confront the legacies of colonialism and work towards a more just and equitable future.

Servant or Slave is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 57 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.4.