Yolngu Boy (2001)

Lorrpu, Botj and Milika are three Yolngu (Aboriginal) teenagers who once shared a childhood dream of becoming great hunters together. But as teenagers they changed: Botj did bad things ... See full summary »

Director:

Stephen Johnson

Writer:

Chris Anastassiades

Stars:

John Sebastian Pilakui, Nathan Daniels, Sean Mununggurr

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Sebastian Pilakui	...	Lorrpu
Nathan Daniels	...	Milika
Sean Mununggurr	...	Botj
Lirrina Mununggurr	...	Yuwan
Makuma Yunupingu	...	Matjala
Nungki Yunupingu	...	Dawu
Mangatjay Yunupingu	...	Maralitja Man
Jack Thompson	...	Policeman (as Gurkula)
Gerard Buyan Garrawurra	...	Lunginy
Garritjpi Garawirrtja	...	Botj (9 years)
Buywarri Mununggurr	...	Lorrpu (9 Years)
Buwata Mununggurr	...	Milika (9 years)
Yithangarra Wunungmurra	...	Ruwu
Lalambarri Yunupingu	...	Lorrpu's Father
Balupalu Yunupingu	...	Milika's Father

Storyline

Lorrpu, Botj and Milika are three Yolngu (Aboriginal) teenagers who once shared a childhood dream of becoming great hunters together. But as teenagers they changed: Botj did bad things which landed him in jail one time, and Milika is more interested in being a good football player and in chicks! Only Lorrpu is still closer to Aboriginal traditions and to their common dream. One night Botj goes too far and he's about to return to jail. Lorrpu must weigh up his own future against saving the future of his friend. Therefore the three boys start to trek to Darwin to argue Botj's case with tribal leader Dawu. To survive during their hard journey in the bush and the forest, they must use the ancient Aboriginal knowledge, Botj's street instinct, and the bonds of their friendship.

---

Plot Keywords:

aboriginal | friend | friendship | hunter | tradition | 

---

Genres:

Adventure | Drama

---

Details

Official Sites:

Australian Children's Television Foundation (english) [Australia]

Country:

Australia

Language:

English Gumatj

Release Date:

22 March 2001 (Australia)

Also Known As:

A bennszülött srác

Filming Locations:

Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Children's Television Foundation, Beyond Films, Burrundi Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min 85 min

Color:

Color (Cinevex)

User Reviews

Interesting movie - animal lovers, beware

This is an interesting movie about three Australian Aboriginal teenagers, from Arnhem Land, who are in trouble with the law. In an advanced capitalist society like Australia, their chances to succeed in life seems about nil. The movie is a kind of fantasy in which they become men by escaping civilization and fleeing to the wild, submerging themselves into the traditions of their culture and becoming hunters. This is great for them, but it's terrible for the local fauna, who gets a real beating from the boys (the scene where a huge turtle is killed by the teenagers leaves a particular bad taste). Of course, in real life, it's white people that have destroyed the environment around the world; aboriginal people tend to live in equilibrium with nature. Still, I found a bit troubling the equivalence of newly found self-respect with hunting.