High Ground

High Ground is a nail-biting Australian thriller from 2020 directed by Stephen Johnson that captures Australia's history through the lens of tense, intricate action sequences. Starring Guruwuk Mununggurr, Wakarra Gondarra, and Mark Garrawurra, the movie is a powerful reckoning with Australia's colonial past that features startling performances from its lead actors.

High Ground is a film set in Arnhem Land, in Australia's remote Northern Territory. The audience is taken on a journey set across breathtaking landscapes of dense forests, cascading waterfalls, and vast open plains. The movie showcases the stunning cinematography of Andrew Commis and masterful direction by Stephen Johnson which, coupled with the dramatic narrative, creates a movie filled with intense suspense and powerful emotion.

The film takes place in the early part of the 20th century, following intense conflicts and cultural clashing between white settlers and indigenous communities. The storyline delicately deals with the sensitive history of Australian settler-colonialism, tackling the issues with grit and depth. It's a powerful narrative that draws attention to the controversial historical events in a not-too-distant Australia.

In this rollercoaster of a film, Guruwuk Mununggurr delivers a performance of a lifetime. He plays Gutjuk, a native who grew up under the guardianship of a missionary after his family was killed in a massacre led by the British. His devastating past and the duality of his existence between two cultures add depth to his character, making him the focal point of this historical drama.

Gutjuk's mixed upbringing is pivotal to the plot, and much of his character's emotional struggle evolves from the tension between his indigenous roots and his white upbringing, a feature of many films dealing with cultural assimilation. His journey is plagued with conflict, grappling with issues of identity while getting tangled in the politics and violence stemming from the clashing communities.

In a sharp turn of events, Gutjuk partners with a remorseful ex-sniper, Travis (played by Simon Baker), a man haunted by his past mistakes, including his role in the killing of Gutjuk's family. Travis becomes obsessed with tracking down Baywara—an enigmatic figure from Gutjuk’s past who poses a significant threat to the budding community. The chemistry between the characters, Gutjuk, and Travis, is convincing, carrying much of the film's emotional gravity.

Mark Garrawurra, playing the role of Dharrpa, delivers another riveting performance as a tribal elder. Caught in the chaos of the tumultuous time period the film is situated in, Dharrpa’s character provides unique insight into the deep-rooted cultural beliefs and practices of the indigenous community. Meanwhile, Wakarra Gondarra weaves magic with his performance as Baywara; his character is laced with an air of mystery and charisma that significantly adds to the movie's allure.

Despite the conflict it portrays, High Ground is also a celebration of indigenous culture, with several Aboriginal actors, including Mununggurr, Garrawurra, and Gondarra, speaking in their native languages throughout the film. The authenticity of this feature adds a layer of genuineness to the narrative, enhancing the audience's experience and immersion into the story. The film takes the audience through the steady weave of tensions, angry confrontations, regrets, and tender moments.

The film is tense but also incredibly poignant, examining the impacts of colonialism on indigenous people and their cultures and the trauma that remains even many years later. Yet on a deeper level, High Ground demonstrates how the human spirit fights, survives, and seeks reconciliation despite all odds.

High Ground is a bold, gripping adventure movie offering a clear indictment of the injustices of the past. However, together with its fierce action sequences, the film also offers a tender narrative that thoughtfully showcases the delicate cross-section of two worlds colliding in time and space. It is a thrilling concoction of actions and emotions that will stay with you for a long time. A not-to-be-missed experience for any history buff or cinephile who admires well-crafted, thoughtful films that shed light on the complexities of human society and its past.