JOURNEY HOME David Gulpilil

JOURNEY HOME, David Gulpilil  

Narrated by Hugh Jackman, spoken by Baker Boy 

This wasn’t just a film documentary; it was a privilege. To be able to witness the many people associated with the famous Yolnu actor and dancer’s life, was an honour! This a film full of colour, full of tropical savanna scenery, of respect; heaped in love! 

Film Trailer https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36847151/

David Gulpilil has acted on many films. A Yolnu (“yoong - oo”) man from homeland Marwuyu, out near Ramingining - and the vast Arafura Swamp, this enigmatic character of the Dreaming Mandhalpuyngu - water goanna, left us a legacy in sharing the community that supported him through life, as he departs his body to swim the waters of his homeland.  

Bäpurru - ceremony!  

It’s not every day you are invited into a cultural journey, into learning about the life of a famous person at a more intricate level. But that is the way of the Yolnu, they want to share with the wider community. Yes, it was ceremony for the dead, but too ceremony for the living! This is an important film to show your children. I'm not going to give too much away, but during the final bäpurru, before David is laid to rest, another special ceremony occurs: intwined, part of David’s. 

Taking place in a number of locations in the tropical Northern Territory, while beginning in David Gulpilil’s later days home South Australia, this is actually more about those who love David, than the life of the man himself.  There are some touching moments in this film. Some of the Yolnu featured, those I am associated with through their family myself, well their connection to David Gulpilil surprised me too. But really, I shouldn’t have been, as David Gulpilil - the water monitor lizard - has been about for some time, and he has inspired so many Yolnu and others with his vibrant journey through life.  

Now most Australians require perfect looking, wealthy Hollywood folk to get them out to the cinema. So sadly, most won’t see this film...even when it is finally played on free-to-air television. Many post-30 would rather complain about how the education system let them down, they were never invited into blackfella culture. Well here, with JOURNEY HOME - you get your chance to learn!  Not only will you be all the more wiser for being part of this journey, it will enrich your life too.

I was lucky in spending time with David Gulpilil and his wife via a friend of mine who knew the talented Yolnu man. He was shy. I am used to seeing David being lively and open. But I was so excited when being able to tell him what the film Storm Boy meant to me as a child. His character really spoke to me. Indigenous connection to time and nature always has. I documented a funeral in Arnhem Land myself in 2024 and this great privilege arrives to my next book to be published in 2026.  

My first book from this link also includes Yolnu spirituality   https://ianbrowne.ampbk.com/