This is a thoughtful story of heritage and identity. An excellent documentary.
JOURNEY HOME is a loving tribute to a legend of Australian cinema. Its a deep record of grief, community and ceremony in which the renowned actor is laid to rest in the Northern Territory.
After his death in 2021, his body was repatriated from Murray Bridge, South Australia and what follows is the outback journey from Victor Harbour to Darwin, followed by a chartered plane, helicopter and a cavalcade of cars to his birthplace in East Arnhem Land. Its a journey recorded in a moving, thoughtfully observed way.
In this final chapter of his story, narrated by Hugh Jackman and Yolngu hip-hop artist Baker Boy, he is portrayed through the eyes of his community, intimately chronicling the epic trip through to its culmination in a Yolngu funeral ceremony.
The director doesn’t get bogged down in details, maintaining an airy, light touch, smoothing away the tensions of the effort, for instance, when the Wet Season arrives.
The film is celebratory, and not a somber happening. JOURNEY HOME is gentle, negating sentimentality. Gulpilil navigated two worlds; walking red carpets while remaining grounded, wedded to his red earth.
A Yolngu man, David Gulpilil lived a traditional life in the Arafura swamp before being cast at the age of 16 in his first film, Walkabout in 1971. He became an industry trailblazer, forever navigating his two worlds.
Gulpili’s family promised to lay him to rest at his birthplace of Gulpulul, and guide his spirit back to a sacred waterhole known as Marawuyu. Its a remarkable, powerful final chapter of his incredible story.
Co-Director Maggie Miles is a major figure in the Australian film industry. Most recently she co-directed the Stan original documentary, Trailblazers, featuring members of the Australian Women’s Football team, The Matildas.
Co-Director Tricia Morton-Thomas is a First Nations Anmatyerr woman and co-founder of Brindle Films based in Alice Springs. She has written, directed and produced and presented the award winning documentary Occupation: Native and History Bites. She is also a renowned actress appearing in numerous TV series.
