FACING THE NUMBERS: GARUWA AND REVOLVER UNITE FOR SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE PREMIERE

Facing the Numbers, premiering at the Sydney Opera House, is a documentary by GARUWA and Revolver that humanises Australia’s incarceration and deaths-in-custody statistics. Directed by Kieran Satour and Tyson Perkins, it blends testimony, performance and music, urging industry leaders to support First Nations creatives and rethink authorship in national storytelling.

A landmark collaboration between First Nations production house GARUWA and Australian company Revolver will see the premiere of Facing the Numbers at the Sydney Opera House, a documentary confronting the human stories behind Australia’s incarceration and deaths-in-custody statistics.  

Written and directed by Kieran Satour (Malngin, Pertame and Worimi) and Tyson Perkins (Arrernte and Kalkadoon), the film blends testimony, performance, dance and music to illuminate the lived experiences behind stark figures. First Nations Australians comprise 37 per cent of the prison population despite representing only 3.8 per cent of the national population. Since the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, at least 636 First Nations people have died in custody, with just one conviction recorded.  

Satour emphasised the universality of the stories: “The stories we are telling in Facing the Numbers are Australian stories. We all have the responsibility to ensure that everyone in our country is treated fairly and equally. That’s why it was important to have the support of all of our partners, cast and crew, to produce this film in a way that did not compromise on quality and care.”  

For Revolver founder Michael Ritchie, the partnership reflects a broader industry responsibility to empower First Nations creatives. “Knowing when to listen can be as important as knowing when to speak,” he said. Initially engaged to mentor GARUWA through a Screen Australia initiative in 2023, Revolver’s involvement deepened into a production partnership. “When Kieran showed us the unfinished Facing the Numbers, we offered our support and producer Lily Warland to help complete it. This film uses an artfully elevated film language to tell an extraordinarily vital story. It represents why GARUWA was created, and we are eager to see them expand their impact across drama and commercial storytelling.”  

The documentary features the experiences of Uncle Michael ‘Widdy’ Welsh, Geoffrey Johnson, Kylie Hampton, Matthew Coe and the family of Mark Mason Snr. A predominantly First Nations cast and creative team bring these accounts to life through choreography, poetry and music, ensuring the stories resonate beyond statistics.  

Ritchie hopes the collaboration prompts agencies and brands to reconsider authorship in storytelling. “Given current political challenges surrounding First Nations issues, the best thing our industry can do is directly support and engage with First Nations talent and creative leadership.” He also serves as executive producer, underscoring Revolver’s commitment to the project.  

The film forms part of a national campaign designed to drive change beyond the screen. “I urge industry leaders to see Facing the Numbers,” Ritchie added. “It is a remarkable piece of filmmaking that sets a new baseline for industry collaboration.”  

The premiere at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday marks a significant moment for Australian cinema, highlighting the power of First Nations voices to reshape national narratives and challenge entrenched systems.