High Ground (2020)

In a bid to save the last of his family, Gutjuk, a young Aboriginal man, teams up with ex-soldier Travis to track down Baywara, the most dangerous warrior in the Territory, his uncle.

Director:

Stephen Johnson

Writer:

Chris Anastassiades (Writer)

Stars:

Simon Baker, Jacob Junior Nayinggul, Jack Thompson

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Simon Baker	...	Travis
Jacob Junior Nayinggul	...	Gutjuk
Jack Thompson	...	Moran
Callan Mulvey	...	Eddy
Caren Pistorius	...	Claire
Ryan Corr	...	Braddock
Sean Mununggurr	...	Baywara
Witiyana Marika	...	Grandfather Dharrpa
Esmerelda Marimowa	...	Gulwirri
Maximillian Johnson	...	Bruce
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Bray	...	Old Trooper
John Brumpton	...	Donovan
Jimmy Cooper	...	Narbarlam
James Demsey	...	'Jimmy' Croc Hunter
Frances Djubiling	...	Old Lady

Storyline

Set against the stunning landscapes of 1930s Arnhem Land, HIGH GROUND chronicles young Aboriginal man Gutjuk, who in a bid to save the last of his family teams up with ex-soldier Travis to track down Baywara - the most dangerous warrior in the Territory, who is also his uncle. As Travis and Gutjuk journey through the outback they begin to earn each other's trust, but when the truths of Travis' past actions are suddenly revealed, it is he who becomes the hunted.

---

Genres:

Action | Thriller

---

Did You Know?

Trivia

Firdt screened as part of the lottery west film festival in Perth, Australia. The setting was an open air theater in Somerville UWA with a near full capacity which is quite rrmarkable as there are not too many places in the world which can host large crowds due to the pandemic.

User Reviews

Done well, and with respect for realism and obvious contempt...

Seems everything was well thought out and almost underutilized overall. No attempt for an 'opinion' to be made either way historically. Besides what actually took place over many territories, the narrative is certainly a gentle one. It's barely a sliver of the actual brutality and genocidal psychopathy involved regarding the true historical record of the genocide that actually took place regarding the aboriginal peoples. It neither defends, nor accommodates a struggle that both indigenous peoples and their colonial overseers were inconstant fear of 'over-reaching', but yet one where we get to see that, even if 'her majesty's' brutality might most often prevail, we do have a lone innocence capable of learning to defend itself against such constant tyranny and abuse of power. Damn fine movie, and one worthy in a the greater narrative of historical accuracy.

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English Aboriginal

Release Date:

28 January 2021 (Australia)

Also Known As:

High Ground

Filming Locations:

Northern Territory, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Maxo, Bunya Productions, Savage Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Color:

Color