Excellent but underrated film

An Exercise In Nonsense

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Rolf De Heer is hands down the best filmmaker in Australia. I hope he never has to struggle for financing. Each film he makes is unique and yet the only thing that unites them is his originality and intellectual depth. The Tracker, Alexandra's Project, Bad Boy Bubby, The Old Man who Read Love Stories; these are some of the best films this country has ever produced and he does it here again with Ten Canoes.In the 1930's, Dr Donald Thompson, an anthropologist, lived and worked with the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land in an effort to bridge cultural divisions. He took some four thousand plate glass photographs which encapsulated the lives and culture of the people. These extraordinary photographs were introduced to Rolf de Heer by his good friend and collaborator, actor David Gulpilil. (The Tracker, Storm Boy). It was the image of ten canoeists hunting for goose eggs in a swamp which inspired de Heer, and provides the setting for the black and white section of the film which stars David's son, Jamie. The film is said to mirror the photographs very closely. The other, more dramatic tale occurs in mythical time and is shot in glorious stark colors with roving Steadicams.The entire film is in the Yolngu language, save David's brief voice-over, though a Yolngu language version with no subtitles also exists. This film is without white people and convention, and is all the better for it. It tears apart barriers and utilizes story telling devices in a fresh style. I felt as though I was witnessing a new form of technique, a new language of cinema, (unlike Baz Booringhams overblown toss, Australia).It is a beautiful story, rich in drama, humor and culture. The photography of Ian Jones, de Heer's frequent associate, is magnificent. Watching the lush green aerials on the big screen, juxtaposed with quiet meanderings through swamps with thick, dark canopy's is truly awe-inspiring. I hope you are able to watch it on a big wide screen; in the cinema it was exquisite.This was a cinematic experience rarely felt, a freshness of approach with a master filmmaker in command, and yet this is also the Yolngu people's film. De Heer shares directing credit with Peter Djigirr which demonstrates the level of collaboration involved. For example, there was no such thing as casting. There are people living in the region who are descended from those in the Thompson photographs, therefore, they had the right to portray their ancestors. There were many other cultural considerations that shaped the entire story and made this the most unique Australian film ever made. It certainly feels like it. I knew I was watching something very special indeed. It deserved its A.F.I. (Australian Film Institute) win for Best Film.It's hard to pick a highlight, but Richard Birrinbirrin's honey addiction is hilarious. I felt proud as an Australian that somebody had actually bothered to connect with the indigenous people of this land and discover the rich resource of their culture which is still mainly foreign to us Balanda today. I cried also, for that very same reason.Any way you look at it, from a technical point of view, to its originality and stunning imagery, to a piece of celluloid as a cultural experience, Ten Canoes is truly remarkable.

This story begins with an aerial flyover of Arnhem Land in northern Austalia. A narrator comes on saying that he is going to tell a story, his story. His story starts with the recounting of a tale about his ancestors of a few generations back who are making canoes to traverse a crocodile-filled swamp in search of goose eggs. Within that tale a wise older man is telling another, somewhat parallel, tale to his younger brother dating back many generations to "the ancients." In a clever plotting device the ancestor's tale is shown in black and white while the ancient's tale is shown in color. This technique has the dual effect of allowing director Rolf de Heer to duplicate scenes from black and white photographs taken in the area by an anthropologist in the 1930s (photographs that motivated the making of this film), as well as helping the viewer keep the stories straight.The cast consists of a few dozen modern day aboriginals playing the parts in the two stories. They try to capture the reality of the times portrayed, and you can believe that this was the way it could have been thousands of years ago for a tribe of early humans. The earlier Astralians have their own customs and language and the cast speaks in their native language, with English subtitles. I kept thinking of how the basic emotions driving the stories are still with us--fear, jealousy, lust, love, trust, distrust, pride, humor, courage, loyalty, honor. The culture presented is indeed not mine, but it is perfectly understandable. Sorcerers keep the tribe stirred up and mystified with special knowledge of "magic," just as modern religions do (with equal effectiveness). There are laws that must be obeyed, even if unwritten. The young men relish showing prowess in hunting and war making. A creator is deemed the prime mover. Marital relationships are not always harmonious, especially if polygamous. And so on. It appears that no matter how it manifests itself a culture will wrap itself around basic human emotions and desires. It would not be a stretch to recast these stories in a modern setting.The photography of the landscape is beautiful and sensuous; it contributes greatly to the stories by showing what an intimate relationship early peoples had with the land and its fauna.This movie helps us better appreciate where we came from and what we are.

As an anthropologist, I'm often faced with the task of trying to get my students to look at life through the eyes of someone from a different culture. Alas, many of the ethnographic films used are often presented in the format of "look at the friendly natives." There are exceptions, to be sure but over the years in the face of the absence of good ethnographic films, I've come to rely on good commercial films with a solid ethnographic content. Now, being a film buff as well as a social scientist, I've seen a lot of films. And, to be sure, there are some stinkers, e.g., overly romanticized or historically distorted portrayals of people in some cases, and sacrificed ethnographic facts in the spirit of "making a good story," in others. But, every once in a while a real gem comes along. Ten Canoes is such a film. The presentation and setting is authentic and the actors are all aboriginal Australians. The greatly talented David Gulpilil is joined by his son, Jamie and a crew of very talented and energetic Native Australians. The tale, based on Australian cultural lore is simple yet profound in the telling. The acting is subtle and devoid of Western theatrics. As a commercial film with a solid depiction of something from the multiplex cultures of Native Australian Aborigines, it is delightful to watch and fascinating to observe these people in the act of being themselves.

Even though it's not your typical "saturday night eating popcorn" movie, we decided this was a movie worth seeing."Ten Canoes" weaves two stories together. A young aboriginal man is out hunting goose eggs with nine other men and gets chatting to an elder. The elder corners him as he knows the young fella has his eyes on his youngest wife, and wants to tell him a story from the time of his ancestors that should put him off making a move. In some cultures the young fella might just get a clip around the ear, but in their culture it involves a story taking several days to tell.May not sound fascinating, but the movie is built around what all good movies should be, an interesting story. I won't spoil it, but the story slowly builds your interest and despite the simple setting, holds your attention.It's a refreshing movie, which keeps you watching while teaching you about another culture. Well worth seeing, however if you favourite movie is "Fast and the Furious", you may not love it.