It’s Australia Day time of the year and if you have one ounce of interest in our history and/or our movies, then High Ground is the movie for you.
First High Ground reminds us what a beautiful country Australia is. The cinematography will inspire you to visit Central Australia, especially Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park where the film was shot. The closeups of deadly snakes, frighteningly large green ants (if you’ve ever been stung by a green ant you know what I mean) and Australian birds in flight are more than eye candy – they punctuate the plot to provide visual metaphors.
Second High Ground reminds us of the tragic history we share. Set at the turn of the 20th Century, the characters are caught between worlds and cultures: Indigenous, religious, British. The title reflects power: that of higher (indigenous) knowledge, physically higher places and higher technology (guns), and metaphysically of the moral high ground.
While guns are dangerous, the indigenous’ knowledge and unity give them the superior edge. The missionaries and the military police are motivated by religious and imperial loyalties but are philosophically divided and struggle in the harsh terrain.
Travis (Simon Baker brings complexity to the role) is the morally conflicted policeman who comes to bring law and order. Jack Thompson is great as the buffoon police leader; in his white suit and risible loyalty to the Queen, he just doesn’t make sense in this new world.
The real stars of High Ground are the indigenous actors. Tracker (Aaron Pederson) is the quintessential man caught between two worlds. Gutjuk (Jacob Junior Nayinggul) is the central character: a child survivor of the massacre raised in the mission. He joins his Uncle Baywara (Sean Mununggurr) another survivor, grandfather (Wityana Marika) tribal elder, and Wak Wak (Magnolia Maymuru) the wild woman so abused by white men that she refuses all men’s laws.
It’s difficult not to watch High Ground without feeling incredible sadness, frustration and anger. See it for the visual intimacy it creates – the close cinematography implicates you in the moral dilemmas. And listen for wonderful birdsong—it’s symphonic.
MA 15
Release Date: 28 January, 1 hour 44 mins
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