Set in the Kimberley region of north Western Australia, Catriona McKenzie’s feature film debut, Satellite Boy, is a fable-like tale which depicts the differences between the old and the new ways in Indigenous culture. The main characters are a 12 year-old Aboriginal boy Pete (Cameron Wallaby in his first on-screen role) and his grandfather, Old Jagamarra (David Gulpilil – Ten Canoes / Tracker). They are residing together in an abandoned drive-in cinema (which in itself is a metaphor for the past) just outside the town of Wyndham when they learn that it is up for demolition by a mining company. This sets in motion a chain of events that celebrates the importance of family, tradition, friendship, and cultural and spiritual identity.

Pete sets off for the city in an attempt to seek out the mining company officials and get them to change their plans. He crosses the mighty Kimberley terrain with his mate Kalmain (Joseph Pedley, also in his first on-screen role) and when they get lost, Pete is called upon to utilise the skills he reluctantly learnt from his grandfather in order to help them survive in the harsh outback. The young boys are quite polarised in their way of looking at life (Kalmain acknowledges that he is ‘useless’), so it is through Pete, who has had the benefit of his grandfather’s wisdom, that they are able to distinguish between the right and the wrong way to go. Thus, Pete realises that the country he is travelling through is steeped in Aboriginal law and culture. When Pete finally comes into contact with his urbanised mother Lynelle (Rohanna Angus – Stone Bros.), whom he has been led to believe is not coming home, he finds himself torn between the love of his mother and his grandfather, who are symbols for the new city life and the cultural pull of the past.

The performances in this film are exemplary. Wallaby and Pedley are indigenous talents to watch out for. Gulpilil is, as always, pure magic. For those of you who have followed his extensive career, his performance is up there with some of his best roles. Credit must also go to Geoffrey Simpson’s (Romulus My Father / Under The Tuscan Sun) cinematography, which beautifully captures the stunning Bungle Bungles. This is a truly fine film and should appeal to audiences the world over. I came out of the screening feeling as if I had just witnessed a very personal rite of passage. Satellite Boy is definitely a contender in this year’s awards season.


// SALT

Previewed at Roadshow Theatrette, Pyrmont, Sydney on 29 May 2013