The Tracker ( English, 2002 )

Image Source:- africandiasporavideo.com

Language: English 

Country: Australia
Year: 2002
Director: Rolf de Heer
Starring: David Gupilil, Gary Sweet, Damon Gameau
Genre: Drama

This film is set in the turn of the 20th century Australia, directed by Rolf de Heer (Film Bulb reviewed one of his films before Ten Canoes). The story line is pretty straight, three white men want to hunt down a native aboriginal man who is accused of murdering a white women. The three had to get the help of The Tracker, who will lead them to capture the murderer. 

There are no names uttered, but just referred by their characters, Tracker (David Gupilil), Fanatic (Gary Sweet), Follower (Damon Gameau) and Veteran (Grant Page).

From left: The Fanatic, The Tracker, Veteran and Follower.
Image Source:- filmpressplus.com

The quest of the four men in the Australian outback is said with the racism involved in it. Fanatic is the leader, he trusts the Tracker to lead them to find the murder. Follower, a young bloke, who initially skeptic about the Tracker’ intention in finding the murderer. The Fanatic grows really fanatic, on their way, he murders innocent aborigines. The killings are actually portrayed by series of paintings rather than showing the actual killing. By seeing the Fanatic’ fanatic killing, the Follower rebels at him and chains him so that he doesn't unleash more terror.

One of the painting in the film. Image Source:- sensesofcinema.com

Finally, they find the murderer, who has taken refuge in an aborigine group. The gist of the film is not tracking the murderer, but to tell the weirdness in the mind of the people on how they view the other race. 

The soundtrack the film is good. The lyrics, instruments et al tries to bring the mood of the characters. The film uses series of songs which were sung by an Australian singer Archie Roach, which were written by the director himself. For example, in a scene where the Fanatic kills the aborigines, the camera takes a deep focus on the Tracker (who is also an aborigine, but somehow left to grow in the new man’s world) and we can hear the repetitive lyrics in the background, ...my people, my people… More about the songs in the film, Click here.

Sometimes slow, but still watchable as it’s a universal theme.

YouTube Trailer

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