Watch Charlie's Country For Free

Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Such a frustrating disappointment

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Rolf de Heer, director of this film, has a real connection with Australian Aborigines and the really challenging circumstances they find themselves in. David Gulpilil, one of Australia's leading Aboriginal actors, was in the dance troupe that entertained Queen Elizabeth II when she opened the Sydney Opera House in 1973. But now, in this semi-biographical film, back in his country of Arnhem Land in the eastern Northern Territory, he's finding it really hard to fit in. No matter what he does, it isn't right. White man junk food: no good. Going bush to go hunting with a gun: illegal. Make a traditional hunting spear: illegal too – a dangerous weapon. Help the police track criminals: promises go unfulfilled. Doing the best you can for your family: unappreciated, at best. So Charlie heads off and goes bush. And there the challenges continue to pile up. It's an incredibly insightful yet accessible examination of what has proved an insoluble problem for Australia for decades. Pretty much since the British settlers arrived here in the late 18th century and declared that the land was unoccupied (known as Terra Nullius) this situation was set up. Around a third of the film is in native language with subtitles (possibly David's own Yolngu tongue) and this adds to the convincingness of this film. And it has some really funny moments that add to approachability.As a descendant of the British settlers of this country, I have little ideas about what should be done to help the original human inhabitants of our country effectively. What we've been doing isn't working. This film points to the multi-faceted, multi-dimensional problems, but it doesn't find answers either. Maybe there aren't any, except time. Long time - generations. Anthropologists say Australian Aborigines have been here for at least 40,000 years, maybe up to 60,000. Imposing most of western civilisation's development onto an incredibly long lived culture in less than 200 years has obvious challenges. I think this film gives an authentic insight into the issues, and highlights that broadly workable solutions have yet to be found, in a genuinely entertaining way.

I love this film. First I loved 'The Tracker' because at last the indigenous man is not a victim or worse, a joke. Now comes Charlie's Country. To Australians the very word 'country'signifies the relationship of indigenous Australians to their country. To an international audience I wish to say this: to me a sign of true art is that there are moments of transcendence. Times when it is impossible to connect rational dots any more. Life flows. Then we awaken from this willing trance and watch superb film making happening, telling a real story, not some bullshit story but real, y' know people, my people. In this Rolf de Heer & David Gulpilil have created a play of universality, the essence of being human will be recognised by any viewer especially those who have experienced how devastatingly concrete the raw use of State power is upon an individual; let alone an individual from a totally different culture, a living culture. Welcome to the new world order. And gratitude to these two men who created this film.

This movie provides an insight into a world that is difficult for many people to see or understand. The film is beautifully shot, and the scenes and sounds of Australia are magical. The acting is first rate, and the script is very clever. Many of the things Charlie says to European Australians don't make much sense, but in this movie we are able to understand what Charlie is thinking when he says these things, and so we understand perfectly what is meant by every sentence he utters. The sense of longing, and of loneliness is palpable, as is the passionate love of country. The dance scenes with the children are uplifting and lovely. This is a moving and beautiful film, and a huge bridge for building understanding and empathy for a different and valuable culture.

I was captivated by this film from the moment I saw the trailer and after seeing it in the cinema today I walked away unable to think of anything other than what I just saw. This should become an Australian classic in it's approach to what has been seen many times before in Australian cinema. Charlie's Country is a single perspective (as the title hints) that doesn't force anything but rather let's you see life from the perspective of a complicated human who is idealistic yet vulnerable. This handled with precision from it's lead. David Gulpilil's performance in this film will hold you from beginning until the end. His portrayal of Charlie gives important insight to the issues facing the indigenous people who have lived on the land for centuries. Rolf de Heer has chosen to simply capture a character and never sways from his perspective, he unfolds the film in impeccable timing. You can feel the passion for the project through the lens. This role was obviously crafted for Gulpilil (he co-wrote it with de Heer) and this is definitely his career highlight. The camera often holds on his eyes and he has a way of portraying his character just through looks and reactions that never feel contrived or forced.Ian Jones' cinematography with it's careful yet raw tracking shots follow Charlie as he goes about his business, really pulls you in while remaining true to the sometimes harsh landscapes and living conditions. There is a temptation for film makers and cinematographers to oversaturate the landscape or make it look overly bleak and this is handled with utmost care and craftsmanship here.The score by Graham Tardif is minimal and serves the story well, the piano motif's are used in key moments but ultimately represent Charlie's soul. I find that many film makers in Australia often use sound as an afterthought but is used in a very clever way in several scenes, holding the frame and allowing you to simply hear what is going on.It is great to see some fine supporting talent in the likes of Luke Ford, Gary Sweet, Peter Djigirr, Bojana Novakovic and Dan Wyllie. They help lift the film in it's moments of humour and moments of despair, counterbalancing Gulpilil's performance with perfection in casting choice.This is essential viewing for lovers of Australian cinema, and hopefully garners many awards come Australian and International award season. The Cannes Un Certain Regard best actor award was very deserved for Mr Gulpilil.