A poignant new documentary captures the profound cultural significance of bringing legendary performer David Gulpilil back to his ancestral homeland for burial, fulfilling his final request after his passing.
The film traces the extensive 4,000-kilometer journey from South Australia to the remote East Arnhem Land community of Gupulul, where the celebrated Yolŋu actor wished to be laid to rest. Directors Maggie Miles and Trisha Morton-Thomas document this culturally rich procession with sensitivity and grace.
Throughout the documentary, Gulpilil’s presence permeates the narrative despite his physical absence. An early visual sequence beautifully bridges past and present, showing the actor’s image superimposed over a waterway, creating a powerful connection across time that suggests the fluid nature of existence.
The film maintains a contemplative, sun-drenched aesthetic while chronicling the logistical and spiritual dimensions of the journey. Family interviews and archival materials weave together with scenes of the careful transportation, each segment imbued with cultural meaning. A traditional songline accompanies the procession “all the way to his grave,” emphasizing the spiritual significance of the undertaking.
Rather than emphasizing dramatic tension, the directors approach challenges like seasonal weather delays with a celebratory rhythm, using uplifting music that transforms potential obstacles into part of the ceremonial experience. The focus remains firmly on spiritual rather than narrative stakes, creating a cleansing, buoyant atmosphere.
This documentary distinguishes itself from previous works about the actor by concentrating on the communal nature of the farewell. It portrays how a community collectively honors one of its most significant storytellers by returning him to the land that inspired his artistry.
The film stands as a tender, luminous tribute that approaches this final journey not merely as an event to document, but as a profound experience to be felt and remembered—a fitting homage to an artist whose legacy continues to resonate through the stories he left behind.
