If you’re on the lookout for a film that’s both insightful and inspiring, Cornel Ozies’s documentary Our Law ticks all the boxes.

This Documentary Australia Foundation Award for Best Australian Documentary finalist takes us inside Western Australia’s first Indigenous-run police station – one of the most remote beats in the world. In the small town of Warakurna, 300 kilometers west of Uluru, we meet Sergeant Wendy Kelly and Senior Sergeant Revis Ryder, who are taking a different approach to policing.

The documentary follows the pair’s unrelenting attempts to understand language and culture, so they can police effectively, and replace the historical black and white enforcement approach of the past. As Wendy Kelly keeps reiterating, communication is key to building community cohesiveness.

Theirs is a police service rather than a force, where confrontation is eschewed and conciliation practised. Talking rather than tackling, chiding rather than taking into custody seems to do the trick.

OUR LAW shows policing through respect not fear, and that respect is reciprocated by the community with the constabulary cared for in mind and body.

Beautifully shot by Sam Bodhi Field, Cornel Ozie’s concise, compact film is full of incident, illustrating the two cops’ working day of call outs that range from road trauma and unruly behaviour, to servicing their vehicle and boning up on local languages. It also presents extra curricular activities like coaching the local footy team and foraging for bush tucker and traditional medicines.

Adding to the rich texture is Wendy Kelly’s backstory, a tale of great inspiration and self determination.

Revis Ryder and Wendy Kelly are credited as Brevet Sergeants, which is a temporary designation for an officer in a particular position which would require specialised skills. Their philosophy and prosecution of policing is certainly a specialisation that should be permanently embraced in every precinct and jurisdiction.

Our Law is proudly supported by NITV, Screenwest, and Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department.Bonus Material exclusively filmed for SFF – including filmmaker introductions, Question and Answer sessions, and live panels. Tickets can be purchased from the Sydney Film Festival website (www.sff.org.au) and films will be available to view on demand for the duration of the Festival 10-21 June 2020.