A new documentary brings things home for the author of Dark Emu

It took years for Bruce Pascoe to agree to let Grace McKenzie film him for her documentary. (Supplied: Madman Entertainment)

Dark Emu author Bruce Pascoe is the living embodiment of practising what you preach. He used the proceeds of his award-winning 2014 book to purchase an idyllic stretch of farmland on the Wallagaraugh River, where he tested his theories.

What: A beautiful documentary detailing Dark Emu author Bruce Pascoe creating a farm

Likely to make you feel: Like we all need a stronger connection to Country

The best-selling book refutes the colonial myth, used to justify the slaughter of terra nullius, that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were hunter-gatherers.

A metaphorical storm followed Dark Emu's publication, with loud voices in the media, parliament and academia howling down Pascoe's thesis.

The furore placed enormous pressure on his family, straining his relationship with his wife, Lyn Harwood, whilst also attacking his ancestry.

"White people are far more interested in Aboriginal genealogy than Aboriginal people are," Pascoe sighs.

"We don't ask Irishmen to do a blood test before they have a beer on St Patrick's Day, but they insist on measuring our underpants. And it's really frustrating."

We're joined by filmmaker Grace McKenzie as we talk about Sydney Film Festival (SFF) highlight, Yumburra, her lyrical, verité-style documentary that traces Pascoe's establishment of the farm of the same name.

"I really wanted to show the wildlife, and the connection to Country that Bruce has," McKenzie says.

Grace McKenzie visited Bruce Pascoe on the farm around 30 times over seven years. (Supplied)

Yumburra, the Yuin word for black duck, also details the creation of First Nations-run business Black Duck Foods, an organic producer using the ancient techniques outlined in Dark Emu.

"Back in 2018, I came across the book, and there was a little blurb that said he was trialling growing old grains at the farm," McKenzie recalls.

"So I emailed him and asked, 'Could I maybe come and see about making a film?'"

Bruce Pascoe's book Dark Emu, arguing Aboriginal people were sophisticated farmers, was controversial. (Supplied: Goodreads)

Given all the hullabaloo, Pascoe's initial response to McKenzie's email popping into his inbox wasn't all that surprising:

Pascoe jokes that it took seven years for him to change his mind, noting that many curveballs were flung in the ensuing years. Not least the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20 and the small matter of a global pandemic.

"Circumstances took over," he says. "That and the far-right ne