Charlie's Country - Sunday 18th January 5pm

After two European blockbusters, we go to the other side of the world for this week’s film: ‘Charlie’s Country’ marks the problems of Aborigines in today’s Australia, where ‘The Intervention’ (laws brought in nominally to try to prevent child abuse but which, in action, clamped down still further on Aborigine life) finally drives Charlie back into the bush to live ‘the old way’.

Charlie is played by long-time actor David Gulpilil, who came to our notice 43 years ago in ‘Walkabout’. His portrayal of this old Aborigine won him a Best Actor award and a 7 minute standing ovation at Cannes. Always an intriguing face, the posters have already made me want to see this film, and the reviewers (mainly Australian it has to be said!) agree:-

"The haunting face of David Gulpilil is the overwhelming image that remains after watching Rolf de Heer's film about a man conflicted by living on the edge of two worlds. In many ways, it's an extraordinary film..." – Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile

"I just thought it was excellent. It really rang true for me and I think Gulpilil's performance is just amazing".  – Judith Lucy, At the Movies (Australia).