«We learn things about life, about death, and of course, about ourselves»
My name is Gulpilil by Molly Reynolds is a documentary on the end of the life of Dadid Gulpilil, great Aboriginal artist. A final act for this man who starred in about twenty films including Crocodile Dundee, The Tracker and Ten canoes. The old man he has become struggles with illness and remembers his youth in the bush, his first steps in front of the camera where «he doesn’t play but he is». A life out of the ordinary where he ate with the Royal Family of England and also found himself in prison for drug and alcohol problems. Molly Reynolds, the director of the documentary, tells…
What were the objectives of this documentary?
We wanted to allow David to tell his story directly to his audience, in his own words.
How did this film come about?
When he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, David wanted to make one last film. That’s what he told us when Rolf de Heer (who directed David in The Tracker, Dix canoës and Charlie’s Country) and I went to pay tribute to him at the time. We felt that a final documentary would be the best way to allow David to continue working for as long as possible.
Did he see the film before he died? If so, what did he think about it?
Originally, the documentary was supposed to end with David’s funeral ceremonies, but since he was doing well and the doctors thought he would live for a long time, we decided—David, Rolf, and myself—to end the film with him on stage. The first took place in March 2021 at the Adelaide Arts Festival, where 1,600 people gave a standing ovation to David.
Did you live his last moments with him?
No, he died at his home, with Mary, his life partner. David’s heart gave out. Perhaps because he was more than ready to leave.
It must be particularly emotional to film the end of a life, of a person with all their memories…
It is indeed. We learn things about life, about death, and of course, about ourselves.
There is a great sense of sincerity in the documentary: his pride in having lived such a life, with its excesses, but also his pain at being ill and powerless, his sadness at preparing to leave.
David knew how to speak directly and honestly to his audience, which allowed these many emotions to be expressed.
You already knew David Gulpilil before making this film. What did you work on together?
David and I collaborated on the documentary, Another Country, which won the 2017 FIFO Grand Prize.
What kind of man was he? How would you describe him?
David was a singer, a dancer, a painter and an actor of exceptional talent. I remember him as someone charismatic, unpredictable, with an incredible sense of humor, and moments of great insight.
What does David Gulpilil represent today in Australia, and more broadly in the Pacific?
David paved the way for Australian Aboriginal artists in the field of the performing arts. He was able to tell the indigenous peoples of Australia and the Pacific: «We can do it, we are autonomous, we have a voice and talent!».
Are you happy that this documentary was selected for competition at FIFO?
I am absolutely sure that David would have been delighted.
Article written by Lucie Rabreaud.
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