Belonging

'Belonging' incorporates a rich tapestry of archival footage, offering a visual record of Tasmania's journey and the LGBTQI+ rights movement. This historical material is complemented by contemporary interviews with Rodney Croome's and Sam Watson's families and friends. This combination provides both a historical context and intimate personal insights, enriching the documentary's exploration of societal change and individual experiences.

Sam Watson's road trip across Tasmania is the narrative engine of 'Belonging'. It serves as a contemporary lens through which the film explores the impact and legacy of Rodney Croome's activism. This journey allows for a direct examination of Tasmania's evolving social landscape, contrasting past exclusion with present acceptance, and provides a personal connection to the broader themes of prejudice, acceptance, and the ongoing pursuit of belonging.

Rodney Croome is a prominent LGBTQI+ campaigner whose life and work form a central pillar of 'Belonging'. The documentary explores his significant impact and the lasting legacy of his activism. Through archival material and interviews with those close to him, the film examines his pivotal role in Tasmania's journey towards LGBTQI+ inclusion, offering a personal perspective on decades of social change.

Tasmania serves as a crucial geographical and thematic backdrop for 'Belonging'. The film charts the state's transformation from a historically exclusionary and prejudiced environment for the LGBTQI+ community to a place of burgeoning acceptance. The road trip across Tasmania undertaken by Sam Watson symbolises this shift, connecting historical struggles with contemporary realities and showcasing the state's complex journey from hatred to embrace.

The documentary weaves together two parallel timelines: the historical activism of Rodney Croome and the contemporary journey of young Tasmanian Sam Watson. This juxtaposition highlights the generational differences and continuities in the fight for LGBTQI+ rights. By examining Croome's impactful work through Watson's modern-day road trip, the film illustrates how far Tasmania has come, while acknowledging the ongoing journey towards full inclusion and embrace.

'Belonging' delves into the profound impact and enduring legacy of LGBTQI+ campaigner Rodney Croome. It contrasts the struggles of past generations with the present, charting Tasmania's evolution from a place of deep prejudice to one of greater acceptance. The film uses a road trip narrative, interspersed with archival footage and personal accounts, to explore this significant societal transformation and the personal journeys intertwined with it.