Five Star
David Dhalatnghu Gulpilil’s star shone brightly. For 50 years, he graced the silver screen in various films and roles, trailblazing the way for Aboriginal actors in Australia, creating a lasting legacy.
By Tierney Seccull
He rubbed shoulders with stars of film, music and sport, including John Lennon, Muhammad Ali and Marlon Brando, even the Queen. But despite his huge success and traveling the globe, his home, his Country, Marwuyu in Arnhem Land remained forever on his mind.
And now, you’re invited to be part of his final journey home.
Five Star is a very special event hosted by family and friends of the late YolÅu actor, singer, dancer and painter, and an integral part of his journey from the red carpet to the red dust road of his homeland in Arnhem Land.
“In our culture, when someone passes, there is an order of things culturally. Like this message-stick, which is shared around. You are welcome to join in this stage of the process, to be part of this final chapter of his story,” says eldest son Jida Gulpilil.
“This is part of the journey home for my father, who travelled the world, dined with the Queen, and lived in the long grass. His story continues as he travels home to Gulpulul, his final resting place.”
Head along to the home of Territory film, Deckchair Cinema, and remember the screen legend in an intimate presentation of never-before-seen footage, family photos, short films and stories told by those who knew him – not just, in his own words, as the “best dancer in the world” – but as loving father, brother, uncle, grandfather, mentor and friend.
This special event coincides with the Condolence Motion by the Northern Territory Government, which takes place in the morning to recognise, acknowledge and forever make a record of Gulpilil’s huge contribution to the world.
Five Star complements this honour with an utterly personal insight into the world’s YolÅu movie star, and is also filmed for a documentary being made in collaboration with his family, titled Journey Home. Jida says everyone’s welcome to part of his father’s return home.
“We welcome, with an open heart, his fans, friends and admirers to hear stories shared by those who walked alongside him, as he changed the world forever by shining a spotlight on YolÅu Culture and Australia.”
Five Star - David Dhalatnghu Gulpilil
WHEN THU 28 JUL | GATES 5.45PM, PRESENTATION 7PM
AT DECKCHAIR CINEMA
COST $17 | $13 CONC
INFO deckchaircinema.com
Thumbanil & inset: Left to right: Jida, David and Jamie Gulpilil. "This photo was taken by John Cann of June Cann Management somewhere down the VIC/NSW track in front of John’s Rambler. We all loved travelling in that car together." – Jida Gulpilil
Header: Shortly after his debut performance in Nicholas Roeg’s Walkabout, Gulpilil attended film school in Melbourne. In 1973, he made his directorial debut with Showing Melbourne to Maningrida, in which he depicts his life in Melbourne to show his family what he is doing when he is away from home.
