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Showtimes
Sunday, June 16
11:00am
Ticketing
Single Ticket
$13 /General & $10 /Members
Rolf de Heer Double Feature
$20 /General & Members
Single Ticket
Double Feature Ticket
Festival Pass
4K RESTORATION!
The year is 1922 and The Tracker (David Gulpilil, Walkabout, Rabbit-Proof Fence) has the job of pursuing The Fugitive – an aborigine who is suspected of murdering a white woman – as he leads three mounted policemen: The Fanatic, The Follower and also The Veteran across the outback.
The Tracker, a mysterious and enigmatic figure whose true character remains unknown, assists them in their quest. As they move deeper into the bush and further away from civilization, the toxic forces of paranoia and violence begin to escalate, stirring up questions of what is black and what is white and who is leading whom. Their journey becomes an acrimonious and murderous trek that shifts power from one man to another, challenged by the indigenous people they come across as well as each other.
Screening with The Survival of Kindness in the Rolf de Heer’s Cinematic Visions double feature.
In English, Warlpiri, Anmatyere with English subtitles
Directed by Rolf De Heer, 2002, 98 minutes, Drama, Australia
ROLF DE HEER’S CINEMATIC VISIONS
Rolf de Heer is a distinguished Dutch-Australian filmmaker, renowned for his unique and provocative approach to cinema. Born in the Netherlands and raised in Australia from a young age, de Heer has become a pivotal figure in the Australian film industry. His work often explores themes of social injustice and cultural conflict, using a highly original narrative style that challenges and engages audiences.
Two of de Heer’s notable films, The Tracker and The Survival of Kindness, showcase his talent for addressing complex social issues. Award-winning The Tracker, set in 1922, explores the tense dynamics and brutal realities of colonialism in Australia through the eyes of an Aboriginal tracker coerced into aiding a hunt for a fugitive. This film combines dramatic storytelling with a powerful use of landscape and music to enhance its poignant themes.
The Survival of Kindness, his most recent work, continues de Heer’s exploration of societal breakdown and racial discrimination. This allegorical drama follows BlackWoman, a character left to perish in a desert, who embarks on a journey through a post-apocalyptic landscape marked by pestilence and persecution. Like The Tracker, this film uses stark visual storytelling to delve into themes of resilience and humanity amid oppression.
Together, these films present a compelling double bill that highlights de Heer’s commitment to exploring the depths of human kindness and cruelty within the frameworks of historical and speculative narratives.
ADIFF CHICAGO 2024
The screening is a part of ADIFF Chicago 2024. Since its inception, ADIFF Chicago have presented culturally significant films that explore the Black and Indigenous experience, giving a multidimensional voice to often misrepresented realities and peoples.
