The Bowraville Murders

The Bowraville Murders investigates one of Australia’s worst unsolved serial murder cases that was marred by racism from the start – the 1990-91 serial killings of three Aboriginal children, all from the same street in a rural town in NSW, all killed within five months of each other and all of their remains found off the same dirt track. There has always been only one suspect, a white man who was acquitted of two of the murders after a racially biased police investigation. For 29 years, the victim’s families have fought a courageous battle for justice that is now being passed to the next generation.

Over three years, we have followed the families’ emotional journey through the courts along with the dogged cop who reinvestigated the murders and an activist MP who led a Parliamentary inquiry. As a result of their fight, Bowraville has become a rallying cry for First Nation people everywhere who demand equal treatment under the law – an open wound that will haunt Australia until justice is done.

The Team

Director – Allan Clarke
Producers and Writers – Stefan Moore and Dan Goldberg
Executive Producers – Susan Lambert and Adam Kay
Co-producer – Anna Cater
Editor – Mark Middis
Cinematography – Tyson Perkins and Nathan Barlow
Music – Antony Partos, Graphics Zenon Kohler

A Jumping Dog Productions and Mint Pictures co-production

Commissioned as part of the SBS Australia Uncovered series
Funded by Screen Australia and Screen NSW in association with the Documentary Australia Foundation

Critics quotes

“Bowraville Murders is a searing documentary in which the families involved open their tormented hearts in a cry for justice.” SCREENHUB

“ The Bowraville Murders is a beautiful looking film, superbly constructed, and full of layers and textures. It is also very confronting. But – as with Incarceration Nation – its difficult subject matter is a powerful reason to watch, rather than otherwise. We’ve been looking away from this stuff for far too long. The fact that it was still not enough to secure justice over the deaths of three Indigenous kids will hopefully leave everyone who watches burning with outrage.” FAIRFAX

While The Bowraville Murders begins as a murder mystery, it steadily builds into a searing survey of injustice with deep and wide historical roots.” FAIRFAX

“Thirty years on, the Bowraville murders remain one of Australia’s worst unsolved serial murder cases – and a lightning rod in the battle to secure a better deal for Indigenous people within the justice system. ” – Weekend Australian Review

Find out more about The Bowraville Murders

Website: www.bowravillemurdersfilm.com.au