Year:  2017

Director:  Paul Damien Williams

Rated:  PG

Release:  April 25, 2018

Distributor: Madman

Running time: 96 minutes

Worth: $17.00
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Cast:
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunipingu, Michael Hohnen, Mark T. Grose, Susan Dhangal Gurruwiwi

Intro:
...a touching homage to the life of one of Australia’s most respected and beloved musicians...

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunipingu was a legend of Australian music. He was loved by many and continues to be loved even after his death in July of 2017. Gurrumul showcases the life that Gurrumul led, the highs and even the lows.

Directed by Paul Damien Williams, Gurrumul takes us into the life of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunipingu, showing his beginnings in the music industry, with his time as the quiet guitar player of The Saltwater Band and when he met producer and long-time friends Micheal Hohnen and manager Mark Grose, and how they started the Skinnyfish music record company. Williams even chooses to show the very end of his music career, which was the final performance of his orchestral album at The Sydney Opera House.

The filmmakers showcase the life that Gurrumul led at his home, Elcho Island off North east Arnhem Land and the struggles that he went through as he was born blind along with the challenges his parents faced when they first realised their son was born blind.

There’s a bittersweet quality shown with Gurrumul’s relationship to his home, with touching footage of Gurrumul singing, juxtaposed with his people on Elcho Island. This shows that no matter how far Gurrumul got in the music industry, home was always a big part of him.

Gurrumul’s music career was not all highs, he went through low points during his life which included the time where he didn’t show up to his first American tour and the death of his mother and his father.

Gurrumul is a touching homage to the life of one of Australia’s most respected and beloved musicians. This documentary will make sure that he lives on and is never forgotten.

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