Ten Canoes (2006)

A story within a story. In Australia's Northern Territory, a man tells us one of the stories of his people and his land. It's a story of an older man, Minygululu, who has three wives and ... See full summary »

Directors:

Rolf de Heer, Peter Djigirr

Writer:

Rolf de Heer

Stars:

Crusoe Kurddal, Jamie Gulpilil, Richard Birrinbirrin

15 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Crusoe Kurddal	...	Ridjimiraril
Jamie Gulpilil	...	Dayindi / Yeeralparil (as Jamie Dayindi Gulpilil Dalaithngu)
Richard Birrinbirrin	...	Birrinbirrin
Peter Minygululu	...	Minygululu
Frances Djulibing	...	Nowalingu
David Gulpilil	...	The Storyteller (as David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu)
Sonia Djarrabalminym	...	Banalandju
Cassandra Malangarri Baker	...	Munandjarra
Philip Gudthaykudthay	...	The Sorcerer
Peter Djigirr	...	Canoeist / The Victim / Warrior
Michael Dawu	...	Canoeist / The Stranger
Bobby Bunungurr	...	Canoeist / Uncle
Johnny Buniyira	...	Canoeist / Warrior
Billy Black	...	Canoeist / Warrior
Steven Wilinydjanu Maliburr	...	Canoeist / Warrior

Storyline

A story within a story. In Australia's Northern Territory, a man tells us one of the stories of his people and his land. It's a story of an older man, Minygululu, who has three wives and realizes that his younger brother Dayindi may try to steal away the youngest wife. So, over a few days and several trips to hunt and gather, Minygululu tells Dayindi a story set in the time of their ancestors when a stranger came to the village and disrupted the lives of a serious man named Ridjimiraril, his three wives, and his younger brother Yeeralparil who had no wife and liked to visit his youngest sister-in-law. Through stories, can values be taught and balance achieved?

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Plot Keywords:

story | brother | australia | indigenous | stranger | 

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Taglines:

From a land not so far away, comes a film unlike anything you have ever seen

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

Memento Films [France] Official site [Australia]

Country:

Australia

Language:

Aboriginal English

Release Date:

29 June 2006 (Australia)

Also Known As:

10 Kanus, 150 Speere und 3 Frauen

Filming Locations:

Arafura Swamp, Northern Territory, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD 2,200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$14,076 (USA) (1 June 2007)

Gross:

$277,991 (USA) (12 October 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Adelaide Film Festival, Fandango Australia, Fandango

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During shooting in the Northern Territory of Australia's remote Arafura Swamp, the crew required eleven crocodile spotters for safety of the cast and crew

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Quotes

The group: [all walking in a line]
Canoeist: Everyone stop!
[all stop and turn]
The Storyteller: That one is Djigirr. Djigirr talk too much, but maybe he heard something.
Canoeist: I refuse to walk at the end. Someone ahead keeps farting.
The group: [laughter] Not me. Not me.
Canoeist: It's you again. You're always so silent. Silent but deadly. Admit it.
Canoeist: Alright, it's me.
Canoeist: You're rotten inside.
Canoeist: I'm rotten inside.
[...]

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Episode #3.20 (2006)

User Reviews

Unique.

An outstanding movie. Storytelling at its finest. Ten canoes is a story within a story and delves into a world that people rarely no about. Away from the clichéd Aboriginal art and instruments - we are propelled to live by proxy with two generations and experience their world, their humour. This was one of two most outstanding movies at this year's Cannes film festival. The only shame was that it was not in the official competition section but in the un certain regard. /however, showing great wisdom, the jury did realise and rightly so award for the first time ever a special jury prize to Ten Canoes. Written, shot and directed with a deft touch. Sheer class.