A family Bible, a cane knife and a pice of sheet metal recovered from a downed warplane are just a few of the possessions highlighted by the film Heirlooms (2010), in which 10 men and women share their stories of the family objects – and, in one case, a song – they hold close to their hearts. As the film pairs these eclectic items with the narratives of struggle, persecution, war and strength that have brought them to Australia, a through-line emerges of a desire to remember the sacrifices of, and stay culturally connected to, the the lives of parents and grandparents. Endearingly crafted by the Australian animators Susan Danta and Wendy Chandler, the short documentary forms a poignant portrait of how and why people imbue family keepsakes with deep meaning.
The precious family keepsakes that hold meaning for generations
Directors: Susan Danta, Wendy Chandler
videoBiography and memoir
Do we need our memories when we can document virtually every aspect of our lives?
10 minutes
videoFamily life
What you can tell about a person from the junk they leave behind
14 minutes
videoHome
Whether above a pub or in a castle, our childhood homes leave an indelible mark
15 minutes
videoSocial psychology
Feeling connected to objects is a fundamental – and fraught – part of human nature
5 minutes
videoWar and peace
When his grandfather won’t talk about the war, Bastien is left to his imagination
15 minutes
videoLove and friendship
Can you find ‘home’ in another person? What it’s like to follow love across borders
5 minutes
videoHome
Life moves slowly in a Romanian mountain village, shaped by care and the seasons
13 minutes
videoFamily life
Shaggy bear story: a German filmmaker grapples with his dear grandfather’s Nazi past
8 minutes
videoMusic
Forgotten songs and memories: Scottish folklore is on the brink of being lost
15 minutes