Ten Canoes

In his latest film, TEN CANOES, Rolf de Heer takes us to the Australian swamplands to experience the Aboriginal oral tradition. The offscreen Storyteller invites us to watch a story like we've never seen before. One thousand years ago, in the time of the Storyteller's ancestors, the wise Minygululu, his naïve younger brother Dayindi, and eight other men (“too many names to remember”) prepare to hunt for goose eggs. While the ancestors build canoes, in a world shot in black and white, Minygululu confronts Dayindi, who supposedly has been eyeing Minygululu's youngest wife. To help Dayindi (and perhaps us) “live the proper way,” Minygululu shares the mythical fable of the brothers Ridjimiraril and Yeeralparil, set shortly after “The Beginning” in a world of vibrant color. What follows is a gripping tale of love, lust, sorcery, and revenge. In this original film about both a traditional story and traditional storytelling, de Heer once again defies all expectations. (In English, Ganalbingu,and other Australian Aboriginal languagues with English subtitles) – E.J.B.