River of No Return (ATOM Study Guide)

Frances Daingangan is a 45-year-old Yolngu woman from the Gupapuyngu tribe in north-east Arnhem Land. She now lives in the remote community of Ramingining.

As a young girl Frances dreamed of becoming a movie star. She loved to emulate Marilyn Monroe. Frances would dance around the house, pretending to be her. But she was told it was ridiculous for a Yolngu girl to have such ambitious fantasies. Her dream came true when Rolf de Heer cast her in the lead female role of Nowalingu in his film Ten Canoes (2006).

Frances was originally promised to a Yolngu man called Djigirr. As a girl, she was abducted by a senior lawman from the Liyagawumirr tribe of Elcho Island.

Frances has now returned to live on her mother's tribal land and burial place, a sacred area called Nangalala.

As a widow with three daughters and six grandchildren, Frances' life is one of poverty, desperation and struggle. Frances depends on her buffalo hunting uncle, acclaimed artist and tribal sorcerer Phillip Gudthaykudthay, who, at the age of eighty, has failing eyesight. When hunting for the daily meal proves to be a fruitless exercise, Frances sometimes has to rely on the winnings of her eleven-year-old grandson Bradley who is a card sharp and goes out gambling.

The success of Ten Canoes boosted Frances' confidence. Seeing herself on the big screen, knowing she was being seen worldwide fulfilling her dream, brought her a new sense of self-worth and with it a world full of possibilities. This new-found strength enabled Frances to leave an abusive relationship. She became the first of many abused women in her community to take a restraining order against a violent partner. Frances had discovered that in order to follow her chosen path, she must challenge some of the traditional cultural and familial values of the Yolngu.

Whether or not she can make a living as an actress remains to be seen. Her decision to apply for a place at the only Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts in Australia surprises the local white administrators. They have never been confronted with this request before. With their help, Frances lodges the application. Learning how to move between the ancient life of the Yolngu and the modern world of the balanda will not be easy but Frances' resolve does not waver.

River of No Return follows Frances as she explores the complexities, pitfalls and joys of finding a new life.