GEOFFREY JOHNSON

Wiradjuri

KEY THEME
Police Brutality

THE TESTIMONIAL

“I'm the lucky one that's walked away. There's others that haven't. Police will look at anything they can to try and nab Koories.”

Geoffrey Johnson was 13 years old when he visited Redfern for the first time. And he was 13 years old when the police threatened him with violence and racial slurs. Geoffrey was 16 years old when he moved to Wagga Wagga. And he was 16 years old when the police dropped their knees on the back of his neck and hit him.

This film starts with a young boy looking up at the city skyline with youthful curiosity and wonder. Later we see the police holding the same child on the ground. The intention is to create a “before” and “after” of Geoffrey’s childhood innocence being taken and destroyed.

Geoffrey’s story is also one of determination and strength – finding ways to protect his sons and other young people from police brutality.