By Romaine Moreton

There are two perspectives that constantly interact in this narrative: that of the Western filmmakers, who narrate from within a Western scientific discourse, and that of the Indigenous peoples – specifically the Mandildjara people. Though the filim does not delve deeply into the Indigenous perspective and cultural practices, it does offer a window through which the relationship between the people and the land can be understood – especially to non-Indigenous peoples. The use of firestick farming to tend the land is a form of ancient cultivation. The film does establish the link between the health of the land being synonymous with the presence of the caretakers – the Mandildjara people. The eventual death of the land then, is the consequence of the removal of the Mandildjara from their ancient homeland.