Watch High Ground
- 2021
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6.5 (2,683)
High Ground is an Australian film directed by Stephen Johnson and released in 2020. The movie follows the story of a former soldier named Travis (Simon Baker) who sets out on a mission to track down a young Aboriginal man, Baywara (Sean Mununggurr), who is on a killing spree in Arnhem Land. The film is set in 1931, and it explores the tense and complicated relationship between the Aboriginal people and the colonizers who arrived in Australia.
The Aboriginal people of Arnhem Land have suffered deeply at the hands of the colonizers, who have systematically stolen their land, exploited their resources, and treated them as second-class citizens. The arrival of Travis and his crew, who are tasked with hunting down Baywara, only adds fuel to an already volatile situation. As Travis begins to navigate the complex cultural and societal landscape of Arnhem Land, he discovers that there is much he doesn't know about the people whom he has been tasked with subduing.
At the heart of the film is the relationship between Travis and Gutjuk (Guruwuk Mununggurr), a young Aboriginal man who becomes his guide through the harsh and unforgiving terrain of Arnhem Land. Gutjuk is a member of the Jawoyn people, and he is deeply connected to his culture and his land. As Travis and Gutjuk move deeper into the wilderness, they must learn to trust each other and rely on each other's strengths if they hope to survive.
Along the way, the two men encounter a range of characters, each with their own motivations and agendas. There is Sergeant Fletcher (Callan Mulvey), the ruthless leader of the hunting party who will stop at nothing to capture Baywara. There is also the enigmatic and beautiful wife of the local magistrate, Claire (Caren Pistorius), who has her own complicated relationship with the Aboriginal people of Arnhem Land. Through these encounters, Travis begins to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical context of the conflict between the Aboriginal people and the colonizers.
The heart of the film, however, lies with the dynamic between Travis and Gutjuk. As Gutjuk teaches Travis the ways of the land and the people, Travis begins to question his own role in the conflict. He is a man caught between two worlds, and he must decide where his loyalties lie. As the movie builds to its tense and moving climax, Travis is forced to confront his own deep-seated prejudices and confront the realities of a world that he doesn't fully understand.
Overall, High Ground is a powerful and deeply moving film that explores the complex history and cultural landscape of Arnhem Land. With superb performances from its cast, breathtaking scenery, and a story that is both compelling and thought-provoking, this is a movie that will leave a lasting impression on its viewers. Whether you're interested in the history of Australia's colonial past or simply in the power of human connection and understanding, High Ground is a film that is not to be missed.
High Ground is a 2021 thriller. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.