Film No. 2 (2021) January 6th. 8:00 PM SOMERVILLE Outdoor U.W.A.
"If we're going to work together then you should learn to shoot". (Travis decides Gutjat should learn a skill which will prove to become significant in his role as assitant protector).
High Ground tells a captivating Australian story from the past. A past drenched in injustices and atrocious violence. High Ground gives us a peek, particularly in the opening and closing scenes, of how the aboriginals were treated (slaughtered) by colonial rule in the 19th century. Some scenes in High Ground are very confronting but these scenes are in no way gratuitous.
Our hero is Gutjuk (Jacob Junior Nayinggul) a survivor (aged 6) of the opening stanza's massacre. Travis (Simon Baker) saves Gutjuk and feels partially responsible for the mayhem that should never have happened. Skip 12 years on, and Baywarra (Sean Mununggur), Gutjuks uncle, seeks retribution for the loss of his family. Gutjuk, now a young man living in a white-man mission has memories indelibly printed on his mind. Would this be a major advantage to Baywarra in seeking revenge? What feelings of loyalty will he hold for his white mentor and carers?
Director Stephen Johnson has cleverly contrasted the beauty of the Northern Territory, Kakadu in particular, with this dark tale of intolerance. The drone vision of the lush wetlands gives the film a unique aesthetic. The title High Ground has particular significance to the story; it's poignant, so many drone shots give the audience exactly that.
It's great to have Simon Baker making local stories. His Travis character gives High Ground a legitimate "good-guy", a necessary but fragile link, as white man tries listening to a black man's peace proposal. We watch on, hoping forces will compromise and see reason. It's only a hope.
So while the film has flaws, Johnson's message is brilliantly impactful and should be seen. 9GUMS.
No comments:
Post a Comment