I know I'm going to be labelled as a Philistine for these comments, but I was rather underwhelmed by the whole experience. Not that I'm not interested in this genre of movie--indeed I am, whether it be about Australian aborigines, Celts, American Indians or Canucks. But this particular presentation left me wondering why I'd spent an hour-and-a-half watching it. The story or message could have been summarised in about three or four lines; the characters should have been rounded out more; the cinematography was little more than adequate and the narration by David Gulpilil--a long-time favourite of mine--lacked impact. It came over like an aboriginal version of The Gods Must Be Crazy--sans humour! I suspect the film received its positive reviews because of its subject matter and that critics praised it because it is filmed in Ganalbingu. Why is it that I get a sense of seeing an unclothed emperor?
Review of Ten Canoes
