How David Gulpilil AM changed the way we see Australia and the Indigenous People

The influence of David Gulpilil AM on Australian culture is enormous and eternal. He was magnetic on screen and his performances in films like Tracker, Storm Boy and Rabbit Proof Fence gave audiences a richer understanding about the lives of Indigenous Australians. How did he do this?

Prior to David Gulpilil’s emergence as an actor there was little representation of Indigenous Australians in Australian cinema Source: Source: Photo: Terry Trewin, AAP

Dr Gaston Soehadi is a lecturer at Petra Christian University in Surabaya, one of the directors of the ReelOzInd film festival and a lover of Australian films.  He explains to Sri Dean how David Gulpilil AM was able to convey his love of his country and people with strength and honesty.

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David Gulpilil AM inspired not only other artists and film-makers but also audiences, with the naturalness of his performances. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac