Yolngu Boy

Botj, recently released from prison, decides to break into the local store to grab cigarettes. He convinces Lorrpu and Milika to join him, but the other two choose to return home while Botj presses on. On the path that follows, Botj descends into petrol sniffing as he heads toward a dangerous consequence.

Botj makes his way to the Women's Community Centre and lights a cigarette. The petrol sniffing fuels a blaze, and the building is burnt down. The incident marks the trio as being on the wrong side of the law.

The group finds themselves on the wrong side of both black and white law as the consequences of Botj's actions unfold. Lorrpu and Milika resolve to help Botj avoid imprisonment, setting them on a long journey. The plan shifts from a local crisis to a cross-country mission.

To help Botj, Lorrpu and Milika embark on a trek from their home in north-eastern Arnhem Land toward Darwin. They carry with them the bush knowledge they were taught as boys and the street instinct of Botj. The journey marks the start of their transition from childhood to adulthood.

The trio traverses wilderness and treacherous escarpment country, drawing on ancestral bush knowledge and Botj's leadership to navigate. The journey becomes a test of character, forging new self-respect and a deeper connection to their land. They rely on each other to survive the harsh terrain.

They reach Darwin in hopes of pleading Botj's case before Dawu, a Yolngu elder. Lorrpu's intent is to demonstrate Botj's rehabilitation, while Dawu remains wary of the claims. The city marks a new stage in the boys' journey and the elders' scrutiny.

Lorrpu tries to convince Dawu that Botj has been rehabilitated, appealing to his knowledge of the land and the boys' growth. Dawu does not believe him, creating tension and unanswered questions. The elder's doubt tightens the stakes for Botj and the group.

Fearing imprisonment, Botj leaves the group and sets out to find his father. The separation tests the loyalty of Lorrpu and Milika and shifts the focus of the mission. Botj's decision intensifies the peril of their journey.

Botj locates his father, but the man is too intoxicated to recognize him. The reunion does not provide the expected support or shelter, highlighting the fragility of Botj's circumstances. The moment underscores Botj's isolation.

Under the influence of petrol, Botj slips back into self-destructive behavior and tragically dies after falling from a bridge. The death is abrupt and marks the culmination of his struggles. It is a devastating turn that redefines the voyage for the others.

Lorrpu and Milika later discover Botj's body, a stark reminder of the voyage's cost. The two friends absorb the loss as they process everything they've witnessed. The scene closes Botj's arc and catalyzes the next phase of their lives.

Lorrpu and Milika return to their original home and old lives. The journey works as a rite of passage for Lorrpu, who gains the acceptance of his elders through perseverance and growth. Milika's role alongside him reinforces the bond with the land and community.