Journey Home, David Gulpilil

GoMovieReviews Rating: ★★★☆ (3.2/5)

Rated: M

Directed and Written by: Maggie Miles and Trisha Morton-Thomas

Produced by: Rachel Clements, Jida Gulpilil, Lloyd Garrawurra, Trisha Morton-Thomas, Maggie Miles

Narrator: Hugh Jackman

Storyteller: Danal Baker AKA Baker Boy

Film Made in Collaboration with: Witiyana Marika, Jida Gulpilil (eldest son), Joyce Malakuya Malibirr (eldest niece), Joyce’s husband Peter Murrkiltja Guyula, Lloyd Garrawurra (eldest grandson), Alfred Yangipuy Wanambi, and the Gulpilil families.

‘His story will end where his life began.’

Born in 1953, famous Indigenous Australian actor, David Gulpilil passed away in South Australia in 2021.

David’s wish was to be buried back home, back to Gupulul in Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, over 4000 kms away.

Journey Home is about David’s voyage across those 4000kms as his family and cultural leaders’ guide David’s spirit back to Marawuyu.

David’s totem, the water goanna, is linked to the swamp; David was born there, his story will end where his life began.

David was discovered when filmmakers were looking to fill a part for Nicholas Roeg’s film, Walkabout (1971).  David was the best dancer and ended up attending the Cannes Film Festival when he was just 17 years old.

David became an award-winning actor, featuring in films like: Walkabout (1971), Storm Boy (1976), Crocodile Dundee (1986), Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002), The Tracker (2002), and Australia (2008).

The first time I saw David on screen was in Crocodile Dundee (1986).  And like many other Australians, it was the first time I’d seen an Indigenous actor on screen.

Journey Home is a documentary celebrating David’s life, splitting himself between his cultural heritage as a tribal Yolŋu man, and his acting life: ‘I’m a bush man, I’m a city man.  I’m a bit of everything, you know?’

But the focus isn’t about David’s life, the narrative is about bringing him home.

It’s a documentary of David’s family talking about their love of David, his younger son filmed fixing his car commenting, ‘I think my dad behind me.  Makes me sad.’  Like his father is still there, watching, teaching him.

But it’s the ritual that drives the film, the songlines like the Sugarbag Honey Tree to represent the bees falling from the tree to create new tribes; and the dancing, the Crocodile, the Bream dance, the Water Goanna, all to guide, welcome and show David’s spirit the way back to the Marawuya.

There’s no glossing over the reality of getting David’s body back home.  This is hard work, hot and dusty, muddy; old homes needing a clean and paint, cousins getting lost, fund raising and delays because of the weather.

But there’s never a sign of impatience or irritation.

If they have to wait for family to show their respects, everyone waits.

There’s archival footage of David and shots of billowing clouds, trees, dogs nursing pups, children’s watching faces in between the travel and ritual of David’s journey home.

There’s a feeling of repetition to the film, but what I did enjoy was the teaching of ritual and understanding the passing of traditions from one generation to the next, to solidify community, to open up the path of a young boy’s life with the support of family while guiding his uncle’s spirit home.

There’s insight into the songlines connecting ritual and tribes. The Djan’kawu sisters tapping two sticks on the earth to mark the spot for David’s grave, to close the door to his body’s life so the spirit can be free to return to Marawuyu, full circle.

There’s talk of David’s fear of abandonment from missing important rituals because of his acting career and the family forgiving him, to then come together to show their respect to the man they had to share with the rest of the world.

Journey Home is an insightful documentary that’s also humbling.