Film Analysis Of Tony Krawitz's 'The Tall Man'

Under their Thumb

Questioning the credibility of the Queensland Police Force is unheard of, but when an Aboriginal man is found dead in his cell, who is held responsible? Director Tony Krawitz uncovers this tragedy in his documentary, The Tall Man writes Paige Smith.

On November 19th, 2004 at 10:20 am Cameron Francis Doomadgee was taken into police custody and forty-five minutes later was found dead in his cell. Senior Sergeant Christopher Hurley was the arresting officer. This occurred in an established Aboriginal community off the coast of North Queensland on Palm Island.

Hurley claims Doomadgee’s death resulted from a ‘fall’, however on November 24th an autopsy concluded that the internal injuries sustained were inconsistent with the alleged ‘fall’. The release of these findings to the Australian public and the Palm Island community led to the infamous Palm Island riots. An inquest into Doomadgee’s death was ordered

Through compelling visuals, confronting interviews and captivating camera techniques, The Tall Man is an informative documentary which shockingly details the injustices of this tragedy and the effects on the community.

Krawitz successfully transforms the six-year ordeal into an hour and half of revealing film. The director highlights inconsistencies of the Queensland Police and Hurley’s account – the film’s focal antagonist - calling into question their credibility. Importantly, Krawitz chooses to explore the impact of Doomadgee’s death upon the