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2025

The Colleano Heart

World Premiere.

A circus family’s hidden legacy unfolds as descendants reunite across continents, uncovering their Aboriginal ancestry, global stardom, and the extraordinary secrets they kept in order to survive. Through the Colleano family's remarkable home movies, never-before-seen footage, family interviews and archival recordings, their extraordinary story is brought to life.

Director

Pauline Clague

Runtime

85 Minutes

Country

Australia

Classification

All Ages

Before Hollywood, the circus was the world’s grandest stage, and the Colleano Family were some of the brightest stars. Embarking on a profound journey of self-discovery, The Colleano Heart follows the journey of descendants who reunite across continents to reveal the hidden secrets of their circus royalty family. As the Colleanos rise to international stardom, they also conceal their Aboriginal identity to keep their family together, joining many of those who form the little-talked-about ‘Hidden Generation’ of Aboriginal Australians. Through the Colleano family's remarkable home movies, never-before-seen footage, family interviews and archival recordings, their extraordinary story is brought to life.
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Film Credits

Director

Pauline Clague

Year

2025

Country

Australia

Language

English

Type

Documentary & Feature

Program Strand

AFF Investment Fund

Producer

Bettina Dalton & Kate Pappas

Writer

Pauline Clague & Ljudan Michaelis-Thorpe

Cinematographer

Susan Lumsdon

Editor

Andrea Lang & Bonnie Fan

Music

Mi-kaisha Masella

Film Source

Kate PappasMitch Hatten & Wildbear Entertainment

Genre

BiographicalFamilyFirst Nations & History

The Colleano Heart Pink Carpet

Pink carpet – from 2:45pm
Screening – 3:15pm

When: Sunday 19 October
Where:
Palace Nova Eastend

Extended Q&A

Join the filmmakers and members of the Colleano family for a discussion after the World Premiere.

When: Sunday 19 October following the screening
Where:
Palace Nova Eastend

Presented in partnership with Tarnanthi: Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art.

Tarnanthi is presented by the Art Gallery of South Australia with Principal Partner BHP and support from the Government of South Australia.

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