Westwind: Djalu's Legacy (ATOM Study Guide)

Westwind: Djalu's Legacy (Ben Strunin, 2017) is a documentary film that explores an Australian dilemma – the struggle in some Indigenous communities for leaders to pass on their traditional culture, while living successfully in a modern world.

Djalu Gurruwiwi is an aging elder, a Yolngu Songman of the Galpu clan of North East Arnhem Land. He is in a line that is perhaps 60,000 years long. But will he be the last in that line? His sons and community are struggling to come to terms with the consequences of colonisation: the competing demands of traditional culture with modernity. He is running out of time to pass on the Yidaki Songlines entrusted to him for the future of his people.

When world famous musician Gotye becomes an unexpected family member, Djalu sees the need and the chance to break with tradition to try and save his culture, while helping heal his sons and amplify his songs to the world.

Running time: 86 mins