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2025

Journey Home, David Gulpilil

David Dalaithngu Gulpilil’s death in 2021 was the beginning of a journey home to his birthplace Gupulul in Arnhem Land. His Bäpurru (funeral ceremony) is a celebration of law, of country, of tradition, of kinship, of ceremony. Journey Home, David Gulpilil offers a rare glimpse into the strong culture that lives on in the heart of his people.

Director

Maggie Miles
Trisha Morton-Thomas

Runtime

88 Minutes

Country

Australia

Classification

Unclassified 15+

David Dalaithngu Gulpilil AM occupies a strong place in the hearts of South Australian audiences: from Storm Boy (1976) to Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002), to his astonishing body of work with Rolf de Heer, and his inaugural AFF Don Dunstan Award in 2003. His death in 2021 in Murray Bridge at 68 after a long illness, was a beginning of sorts: a journey home to country, to his birthplace in Arnhem Land.

Gulpilil navigated two worlds, walking red carpets while remaining grounded in red earth. His return to Yolŋu land for burial was a huge logistical challenge spanning over four and a half thousand kilometres by planes, cars, boats, on foot, and by helicopter, and across many months waiting for the right seasonal conditions. It is a journey you will surely remember, culminating in a Bäpurru, a funeral which becomes a celebration of law, of country, of tradition, of kinship, of ceremony. Journey Home, David Gulpilil offers a rare glimpse into the strong culture that lives on in the heart of his people.

Tarnanthi is presented by the Art Gallery of South Australia with Principal Partner BHP and support from the Government of South Australia.

Film Credits

Director

Maggie Miles & Trisha Morton-Thomas

Year

2025

Country

Australia

Language

English & Yolŋu Matha

Subtitles

English

Type

Documentary & Feature

Program Strand

World Documentary

Producer

Rachel ClementsJida GulpililLloyd GarrawurraTrisha Morton-Thomas & Maggie Miles

Writer

Maggie Miles & Trisha Morton-Thomas

Cinematographer

Allan Collins & Anna Cadden

Editor

Bill Murphy

Music

David Bridie

Film Source

Madman Entertainment

Genre

BIPOCFamily & First Nations

Presented in partnership with Tarnanthi: Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art.

Tarnanthi is presented by the Art Gallery of South Australia with Principal Partner BHP and support from the Government of South Australia.

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