Ten Canoes

"Ten canoes, three wives, one hundred and fifty spears...trouble"

Jun 29 2006 Unrated 1h 30m
Adventure, Comedy, Drama

A story within a story within a story. In Australia's Northern Territory, an Aboriginal narrator tells a story about his ancestors on a goose hunt. A youngster on the hunt is being tempted to adultery with his elder brother's wife, so an elder tells him a story from the mythical past about how evil can slip in and cause havoc unless prevented by virtue according to customary tribal law.

Plot

A story within a story. In Australia's Northern Territory, a man tells us one of the stories of his people and his land. It's a story of an older man, Minygululu, who has three wives and realizes that his younger brother Dayindi may try to steal away the youngest wife. So, over a few days and several trips to hunt and gather, Minygululu tells Dayindi a story set in the time of their ancestors when a stranger came to the village and disrupted the lives of a serious man named Ridjimiraril, his three wives, and his younger brother Yeeralparil who had no wife and liked to visit his youngest sister-in-law. Through stories, can values be taught and balance achieved?

Written by

Rolf de Heer

Directed by

Rolf de Heer, Peter Djigirr

Production Countries

Australia

Production Companies

Fandango, SBS Independent, Vertigo Productions, Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund

Languages

English

Awards

17 wins & 9 nominations

Scores
# of Votes
5,324
Average Rating
6.9 out of 10
Metascore
82
Popularity
NA