Directed by Brenda Matthews and Nathaniel Schmidt 

A lost identity sandwiched between events outside her control in the tail end of the last known stolen generation – The Last Daughter retraces the steps of Brenda Simons as she looks back on her struggle for identity. All bases are covered in this intimate story with a white family alongside her original family, both of whom are tenderly loving but scolded by Australia’s dark history.

The most impacting moments in this documentary simply come via watching families having the courage to revisit their cruel and painful pasts and weighing that against more recently transpired actions that have happened to them. Actions that have done little to end the long suffering they’ve endured. Fair to say, The Last Daughter isn’t an easy watch, but it’s a necessary one for deepening our understanding and empathy towards our first nations people. 

Several moments throughout the documentary sent shivers up my spine. Moments that were often softly spoken and heaving with emotion. Subtle inflections infer the pain people have felt and continue to carry, and light-hearted humour employed throughout breaks the tension of a hard watch. The well-judged 90 minute duration and slower pacing of this documentary certainly doesn’t fly by, but it’s not meant to either. Just as Brenda still hasn’t come to grips with what she sees herself reflecting, the audience isn’t meant to walk away with a fully formed comprehension of it either. Even those familiar with the stolen generation still have lots of learning to do. Ordinary citizens like you and me, but also more socially recognisable faces who have been building and walking the path to redemption, including former Prime Ministers.

Brenda’s story is unique, fascinating, and tenderly rendered. I’m certain it is one story, one meditation on a person’s life, that speaks on behalf of so many others just like her.

The Last Daughter is showing in selected cinemas across Australia from June 15th.

Moviedoc thanks Bonsai Films and TM Publicity for providing a screener link to watch and review this film.

Reviewed by Zak Wheeler for Moviedoc

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