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- Actor
- Music Department
- Writer
David Gulpilil is a legendary Yolngu actor, a First Nations person of Northern Australia, born around 1953. The local missionaries gave him his birthdate of July 1, 1953, just as they gave him his Christian name David, although he admits he liked that name from the start. His last name, Gulpilil, was a totem, the kingfisher. He'd never seen a white person until he was 8 when he visited the mission school, but he never really allowed them to teach him anything.
In 1969, the British film director Nicolas Roeg, scouting locations in the Outback, appeared at a mission in the north and asked if anyone knew a boy who can throw a spear, who can hunt, and who can dance, and everyone pointed at David.
David's easy smile made him a natural, and it quickly became obvious that he was unlike anyone the white man had met in the outback. He was not reserved or suspicious of strangers, and carried song on his lips and rhythm in his legs. David Gulpilil was fearless.
Looking back over his career, he tells us in the documentary, My Name is Gulpilil (2021), filmed while dying of terminal lung cancer, that he never acted, that acting wasn't something he had to do because it was natural. "I know how to walk across the land in front of a camera, because I belong there," Standing on stage, before a camera, or before the Queen of England, David felt comfortable in his own skin whether it was barely dressed in a loin cloth, or stuffed into the white man's dinner jacket.
Roeg quickly cast the charismatic Gulpilil in Walkabout (1971), a film based upon Donald G Payne's 1959 novel about a boy who cheerfully leads children to safety. Without really knowing it, Roeg broke new ground in Australian cinema, and redefined the way that Indigenous people were represented in Australian cinema. The film was an international success everywhere but in Australia, where First Nation peoples had been previously portrayed only by white people wearing blackface. And to top it off, the film broke cultural barriers, presenting on the wide screen a sexually attractive young Black man.
David Gulpilli was, overnight, hurled in to high society as an instant, international celebrity and presented before Queen Elizabeth, who found him quite charming and humorous. She in turn introduced David to John Lennon and that was just the beginning. Before long he was soon shaking hands with Muhammad Ali, Marlon Brando, Bruce Lee, Jimi Hendrix, and Bob Marley, who would help contribute to David's downfall. David taught Bob Marley to play the didgeridoo. Marley taught David to smoke ganja. But it was while filming Mad Dog Morgan (1976) that he got his crash course in hellraising by Dennis Hopper. Later in his one-man stage show he'd say, "If you're working with people like Dennis Hopper and [John] Meillon, well, you gotta learn all about drinking and drugs."
David enjoyed being in front of the camera, and he well knew the importance of his work because it was history and it would "remember to generation to generation," shining a spotlight on his people who had been murdered, exploited, and corralled into camps. The collective history of his people meant everything to him and these films, he claimed, "Won't rub it out."
He was a dancer, a singer, an artist, and a story teller, and fell lovingly into the role of ambassador of his culture to the white man's world, which ironically would eventually divorce him from his culture, as he took to drink and drugs and wound up in trouble with the law, racking up four drink-driving arrests, and one drunken escapade that landed him in jail again, but this time for assaulting his wife. As he admitted in his biopic, "Left side, my country. Right side, white man's world. This one tiptoe in caviar and champagne, this one in the dirt of my Dreamtime."
When he'd been discovered, he spoke no English, though he knew a few dialects of the First People's language, and he was such a quick learner. He began picking up English while just listening during the making of the film, Walkabout, and afterwards as he travelled about the world.
In his one man show, "Gulpilli," he tells the story of trying to use a knife and fork while sitting next to the queen. He cut and cut but couldn't get any meat as he just moved the plate around the table. He gave up and finally picked it up with his hands. Whether true or not, he tells how the Royal Family joined in, eating their meat as he did.
After his sudden fame in Walkabout, David found his way onto Australian television in episodes of Boney (1972), Homicide (1964), Rush (1974), The Timeless Land (1980), and more, and even got a bit part in The Right Stuff (1983).
He was quickly recognized as the most renowned tribal dancer in Australia, and he choreographed the traditional First People's dance in Crocodile Dundee (1986). His love of dance inspired him to organize dancing troupes and musicians that won the Darwin Australia Day Eisteddfod dance competition four times.
His breakthrough role came in the mid-seventies with Storm Boy (1976), one of David's personal favorites, followed up by a lead role in The Last Wave (1977). In fact, his last appearance as an actor was in the remake of Storm Boy (2019), playing the father of Fingerbone Bill, the character he'd played in the original version.
Despite his fame, his earnings were never substantial and he was subjected to racism from agents and film crews. He was often homeless, sleeping in parks. He wound up living in a corrugated iron hut in the community of Raminginig that had no electricity or running water, where he hunted kangaroos, cooking bush meat over an open fire. "I was brought up in a tin shed. I wandered all over the world - Paris, New York - now I'm back in a tin shed," Gulpilil said.
Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002) is the story of Australia's Lost Generations, in which mixed race First Nation children were removed from their families and placed in church-run missions in order to breed the "black" out of them and integrate them into society. Many of the children ran away from these camps and trackers were sent out after them. David Gulpilil played the formidable tracker in Rabbit-Proof Fence, and that led to a leading role in The Tracker (2002), directed by Rolf de Heer. David referred to this role as the best performance in his career. He won best actor at the Australian Film Institute Awards, the Inside Film Awards, and the Film Critics' Circle Awards.
He teamed up with Rolf de Herr a few more times, but their most unique production was the first film scripted entirely in the Yolngu language, called Ten Canoes (2006). Gulpilil narrated the film and it won a Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. It was after this time that David's life took a downhill turn and landed him in prison because of his drinking and assaulting his then partner Miriam Ashley. After his release he went into treatment and got sober.
Clean and sober he went to work again with Rolf de Herr and co-wrote the film Charlie's Country (2013), the true to life story of an ageing man who yearned to return to his cultural roots. Gulpilil gave the performance of his career, winning four best actor awards, including best actor at the Cannes Film Festival. At the Australian Film Critics Association Awards, he shared with Rolf de Heer the best screenplay award.
Released six months before his passing, My Name is Gulpilil (2021) is, as David put it, the story of his story. Though very ill, David gives us insight into his charismatic life and charm as we witness the full spectrum of his talents. We see him dancing, singing, celebrating, and even painting. One of his paintings, "King brown snake with blue tongue lizard at Gulparil waterhole" hangs in The Art Gallery Of South Australia. He spins wool from his hair, something his ancestors handed down that his father taught him. He takes us for a walk through his land, along the rivers, in the shadows of the mountains, and knowing he's dying, he admits he really doesn't yet grasp it, but tells us, "I'm walking like across the desert of the country, a long, long way. Until the time comes . . . for me."- Actor
- Additional Crew
Antonie Kamerling was born on 25 August 1966 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. He was an actor, known for Exorcist: The Beginning (2004), Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist (2005) and Goede tijden, slechte tijden (1990). He was married to Isa Hoes. He died on 6 October 2010 in Zevenhoven, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Bart Klever was born on 22 October 1956 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. He is an actor and writer, known for Somebody There (2022), The Windmill (2016) and Beggar (2005).- Alan Dargin was born and raised in an Aboriginal tribe in Australia's northeast Arnhemland and is an internationally acclaimed didgeridoo player as well as having roles in a number of feature films. Dargin began studying the didgeridoo at age five. Dargin's grandfather taught him how to play, passing on secret techniques which have been passed down for generations over the instrument's 40,000 year history. Dargin's primary didgeridoo is over 100 years old and was given to him by his grandfather. It is made from the branch of a eucalyptus tree which is naturally hollowed out by thermites that hatch under the bark and burrow into the wood. The didgeridoo is decorated with Aboriginal tribal markings and was originally used in tribal ceremonies to induce Dreamtime. Dargin still plays ceremonial music, but never for the public. It is forbidden by custom. Dargin has toured extensively in Australia and the US and has performed with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall. Most recently, he toured Korea on behalf of the Australian Foreign Affairs Department. He has appeared in a number of Australian films and has also found the time to earn a science degree from the University of Toronto.
- Truus van Aalten was a Dutch girl who won a magazine competition in 1926 and found herself acting in a movie in Berlin. Her bosses soon realized that she was a gifted comedienne, and she went on to make many silent movies. She became very popular all over Europe and moved successfully into sound films.
When the Nazis came to power they stopped her working. They then tried to use her in propaganda movies, but she refused - and she eventually had to give up her career.
She tried to make a comeback in films after WW2, but without success. She became a businesswoman in the 1950s and married in 1964. Her last years were marred by mental illness, and she died in the Dutch town of Warmond in 1999. - Puck April Eve was born on 13 January 1989 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. She is an actress, known for Bluf (2014).
- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Rik Launspach was born on 19 July 1958 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. He is an actor and writer, known for Oeroeg (1993), Windkracht 10 (1997) and Van Speijk (2006). He is married to Marjolein Beumer.- Joran van der Sloot was born on 6 August 1987 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. He has been married to Leidy Figueroa since 4 July 2014. They have one child.
- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Herman Koch was born on 5 September 1953 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. He is an actor and writer, known for Jiskefet (1990), Villetta con Piscina and The Dinner (2017).- Director
- Writer
- Cinematographer
Ineke Houtman was born in 1956 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. She is a director and writer, known for Polleke (2003), Madelief: Krassen in het tafelblad (1998) and The Escape (2015).- Actor
- Writer
Marcel Faber was born on 1 October 1959 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. He is an actor and writer, known for Het Geheim van Eyck (2015), Deadline (2008) and Flikken Maastricht (2007).- Carola Gijsbers van Wijk was born on 27 June 1939 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. She is an actress, known for Goede tijden, slechte tijden (1990), The Lift (1983) and Zingend in de wildernis (1963).
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Bastiaan was born and raised in the eastern part of The Netherlands. From 1996 till 2001 he studied psychology at the University of Amsterdam, in which he holds a masters degree. In 2006 he obtained a degree in screenwriting at the Dutch Filmacademy (NFTA). He finished the Filmacademy by writing the screenplays for Otzenrath, last day and Teer.- Actress
- Director
Lidewij Mahler was born on 16 January 1981 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. She is an actress and director, known for Black Book (2006), Flirt (2005) and Commandos (2020).- Coby Stunnenberg was born on 21 February 1943 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. She is an actress, known for Medisch Centrum West (1988), De pretenders (1981) and Broken Mirrors (1984).
- Additional Crew
Frans J. Afman joined N.V. Slavenburg's Bank Rotterdam in 1967. In 1969 he received an education in International Banking at the First National Bank of Chicago in Chicago and New York. At that time First Chicago was a 20 % shareholder in N.V. Slavenburg's Bank.
In 1972 he became Manager of the International Banking Division of Slavenburg's Bank and as such he was also responsible for the Corporate Banking Division and the liaison with First National Bank of Chicago. At the same time he initiated and developed the Entertainment Business Division of Slavenburg's Bank.
In 1981 N.V. Slavenburg's Bank was taken over by Credit Lyonnais and in 1983 renamed: Credit Lyonnais Bank Nederland N.V. Mr. Afman was Assistant General Manager and Head of the Entertainment Business Division of Credit Lyonnais Bank Nederland N.V., headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, until July 1, 1988, when he entered into a non-exclusive consultancy agreement with the Board of the Bank, which expired July 1, 1991. On September 1, 1991, Mr. Afman joined International Creative Management in Los Angeles as Managing Director of the newly formed Financial Services Department. In April 1993 he became an independent financial consultant.
Mr. Afman has worked with well known film producers like Dino De Laurentiis and Alexander Salkind, as well as with major independent motion picture production companies such as The Cannon Group (until 1987), Hemdale Film Corporation, Carolco Pictures Inc., Castle Rock, Nelson Entertainment, Imagine Films, Gladden Entertainment Corporation, Transworld Entertainment (until 1988), Merchant Ivory Productions, Neue Constantin, Morgan Creek, Largo Entertainment, LIVE Entertainment and Cinergi Productions.
He has been instrumental in financing film projects such as "Three Days Of The Condor", "King Kong", "Superman II and III", "Terminator I and II", "Rambo II and III", "Platoon","Hoosiers", "The Name Of The Rose", "A Room With A View", "When Harry Met Sally", "The Fabulous Baker Boys", "Driving Miss Daisy", "Total Recall" and "Dances With Wolves".
Mr. Afman has been invited numerous times to speak on seminars and panels (Holland Promotion - Los Angeles November 1988, American Film Market - Los Angeles February 1990, Munich Film Festival - Munich June 1988, Screen Production Association of Australia Conference - New South Wales November 1990, American Film Market - Los Angeles February 1991, Media Business School - Copenhagen 1992). He was keynote speaker during the Cannes Film Festival 1986 (International Bar Association), Tokyo Film Festival (September 1987), Cinetex, Las Vegas (September 1989) and American Film Market 1992 Opening Speech.
He obtained a law degree from the University of Amsterdam and he was an active reserve major in the Cavalry of the Netherlands Army until December 31, 1988. In 1996 he was elected as Chairman of the Netherlands Film Festival. He has also been an advisor to the Media Business School in Madrid as well as the Maurits Binger Institute in Amsterdam. In September 2007 Frans Afman was Knighted by the Queen of the Netherlands.- Geert Jan Romeijn was born on 13 April 1964 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. He is an actor, known for Het glazen huis (2004), De 9 dagen van de gier (2001) and Goudkust (1996).
- Yvonne Valkenburg was born on 31 January 1959 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. She is an actress, known for Onderweg naar morgen (1994), Spetters (1980) and Medisch Centrum West (1988).
- Tom de Jong was born on 21 June 1954 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. He is an actor, known for Capo di Famiglia: Part II (2020), Medisch Centrum West (1988) and Weerzienwekkend (2017).
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Linda Wagenmakers was born on 30 November 1975 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. She is an actress, known for Westenwind (1999), Pittige tijden (1996) and Make Up Your Mind (2021).- Ellen Röhrman was born on 11 April 1948 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. She is an actress, known for Diamant (1993), Goede tijden, slechte tijden (1990) and Goede tijden, slechte tijden: De reünie (1998).
- Furkan Turkoglu was born on 16 April 2003 in Arnhem. He is an actor, known for Brugklas (2014), Merhamet (2023) and H3L (2019).
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Hetty Blok was born on 6 January 1920 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. She was an actress, known for Ja zuster, nee zuster (1966), Kermis in de Regen (1962) and Sterren stralen overal (1953). She died on 6 November 2012 in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands.- Rob van de Meeberg was born on 28 August 1944 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. He is an actor, known for Goede tijden, slechte tijden (1990), Verborgen gebreken (2009) and Missie Warmoesstraat (2004).
- Andy van der Meijde was born on 30 September 1979 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. He is an actor, known for Make Up Your Mind (2021), Ranking the Stars (2006) and De jongens tegen de meisjes (2011).