When a white woman is murdered in 1920s Australia, a police officer (Gary Sweet) ventures into the Outback with a small crew in search of the Aboriginal fugitive (Noel Wilton) accused of the crime. In his group are a newcomer to the country (Damon Gameau), an old sage (Grant Page), and an Indigenous tracker (David Gulpilil) who is not fully trusted by the racially prejudiced officer. As the pursuit through this dangerous territory drags on, tensions begin to rise between the crew members.
Described as “a stripped-down Western” and “a drama of vision” by Jake Wilson in his 2003 analysis of the film for Senses of Cinema, The Tracker exemplifies the phenomenal teaming of legendary actor David Gulpilil and filmmaker Rolf de Heer, who have been called “Australia’s best director/actor combo you’ve never heard of” by Junkee. Just a few months before Gulpilil’s 2021 death, de Heer wrote a moving tribute to his friend for the Sydney Morning Herald, and also discussed The Tracker in depth for a 2017 interview with the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. The director kept a production diary that you can read as a PDF as well.
Come see the film yourself at IU Cinema this coming Tuesday, April 25!
“An imposing film that tackles a serious theme with dignity and even audacity and that features production values of the highest quality.” — David Stratton, Variety
The Tracker will be screened at IU Cinema on April 25 as part of the Michael A. McRobbie’s Choice series.