The Thousands

It is amusing that, among the many awards and accolades, the book of The Tall Man did not escape winning the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award. This goes against State grain – their Supreme Court is now guarding all evidence from the Mulrunji case, and the Queensland police made a rather infamous spectacle of themselves.

Despite their best efforts, the man’s death changed history. When the police made public their extraordinary claim that Mulrunji’s black eye, four broken ribs, liver split in two, and bleeding to death about forty minutes after being arrested for swearing, all occured because he tripped, the Palm Islanders’ riotous protest drew the attention of national media. It went on to become the first time an Australian police officer has been charged for a black death in custody.

The documentary is based on the book, and its Chauvel season marks the sixth anniversary of Mulrunji’s death. It unfolds as a character-driven crime drama, complete with surprising plot twists. There are also green waters rich with dugong and seal, boys riding horses through water, and Mulrunji’s only son – magnetic, with a rare and arresting stillness.

There’s no easy conclusion, but it isn’t harrowing, and it isn’t depressing. It’s beautiful, fascinating, and perplexing. You’ll leave with the sense of having something important to mull over.