Charlie's Country (2013)

Displeased with the intervention of whitefella laws, Charlie takes off to live the old way and sets off a chain reaction of enlightening difficulties.

Director:

Rolf de Heer

Writers:

David Gulpilil, Rolf de Heer

Stars:

David Gulpilil, Peter Djigirr, Luke Ford

12 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Gulpilil	...	Charlie
Peter Djigirr	...	Black Pete
Luke Ford	...	Policeman Luke
Lizzie Durrurrnga	...	Bank Teller
Bobby Bunungurr	...	Bobby (as Bobby Bununggurr)
Frances Djulibing	...	Supermarket Woman
Michael Dawa	...	Micky (as Michael Dawu)
Paul Blackwell	...	Errol
Peter Minygululu	...	Old Lulu
John Brumpton	...	Policeman Brum
Jamie Gulpilil	...	Trainee PC
Gary Waddell	...	Gaz
J.B. Williams	...	Gaz's Sidekick (as Josh Williams)
Johnny Buniyira	...	Cool Dude
Fiona Lanyon	...	PC Monica

Storyline

Blackfella Charlie is out of sorts. The intervention is making life more difficult on his remote community, what with the proper policing of whitefella laws now. So Charlie takes off, to live the old way, but in so doing sets off a chain of events in his life that has him return to his community chastened, and somewhat the wiser.

---

Plot Keywords:

australian aborigine | semi autobiographical | australia | community | aboriginal | 

---

Taglines:

Another invasion... and Charlie doesn't like it.

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was the official submission of Australia for the Best Foreign Language film category of the 87th Academy Awards 2015 but in the end was not nominated. Australia's first ever film to be nominated in this category would be about a couple of years later with 'Tanna' (2015).

---

Connections

Referenced in Still Our Country (2014)

User Reviews

A fantastic movie

I saw this movie with no real idea what I will discover. It presents the struggle of the aboriginal communities and what they face every day. Turned in South Australia mainly it is supposed to represent the Northern territory at its worst in a way... Humidity, Rain, Harsh sunny day and so on. Oh well except that part the film itself is a great drama about two culture in contradiction and the struggle that goes with as a result. It has some sense of humor (some wink to crocodile Dundee too) but also some hidden message if you can analyze each scene presented to you. Charlies's country will make you laugh, cry (my girlfriend did), revolt you sometimes. It will certainly not let you out of emotions. For some it might be a bit slow to start, but hang on to your seat it is just the way it is supposed to be and if you make it to the end you will end up with lots of material to debate with. A real marvel, a true jewel of simplicity. I really enjoyed this movie and cannot recommend this one enough. If you are Australian or living in Australia go watch this movie. For the rest of the world it might be another story but as a story it still a great one.

Details

Official Sites:

Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund [Australia] Press Kit [Australia]

Country:

Australia

Language:

Aboriginal English

Release Date:

17 July 2014 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Charlie's Country

Filming Locations:

Ramingining, Northern Territory, Australia

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,340, 7 June 2015

Gross USA:

$42,937

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$658,179

Company Credits

Production Co:

Adelaide Film Festival, Bula'bula Arts Aboriginal, Screen Australia

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39:1