We Don't Need a Map

2017

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83%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

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Eddie Cockrell

Variety

The film manages to achieve that unique tone of Australian self-deprecation tempered by frustration but resolutely remaining positive about the future.

Jun 9, 2017

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Craig Mathieson

The Sunday Age

Warwick Thornton's documentary about the numerous facets of Australian life that have attached themselves to the Southern Cross is a deceptively astute and free-wheeling journey into unknown histories and an unconsidered present.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 28, 2018

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Conor Bateman

4:3

Levity is an easy takeaway in a documentary that manages to address a broad range of pressing contemporary discussions on race, history and identity.

Rated: Recommended

Jul 24, 2017

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Tom Clift

Junkee

An entertaining gonzo-style doco about the history and meaning of the southern hemisphere's most iconic constellation.

Jul 1, 2017

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Simon Foster

Screen-Space

[It] plays like the film version of a pub debate, with different voices and loud opinions bouncing in all directions.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jun 19, 2017

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Blake Howard

Graffiti With Punctuation

The first stanza of "We Don't Need A Map" is a furious, energetic, punk rock f*ck you, that kicks the audiences arse with a collision of styles and content.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 11, 2017

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mike v

We Don't Need a Map is a 2017 Australian documentary which raises some interesting issues 🇦🇺

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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ian t

This film needs a map. Its a good idea, see how people from different backgrounds view the same symbol. However the film is just jumps around like a hyperactive child, failing to really form any clear threads. He constantly jumps to small montages and puppet animations, which are kind of nice, but probably make a muddled film, even more muddled. It does a terrible job at explaining concepts, or ideas. Its like the filmmaker never really decided what he was explaining to the audience or how. For example he mentions a tribal system of law, passed down through generation, that maintained peace. Interesting stuff but he never really explains who, how or what. Its just mentioned a few times in incoherent snap shots. He does this several times, with several subjects. Another example is the Southern cross windmills, which seem to have historical/political significance, as he spends a lot of time on them. Again, never really explains why this is important. Another example is a modern incident on a beach, where, from what I gathered some white Australians attacked some immigrants. Again you can barely string together, who what or why. Maybe his target audience are people who are familiar with the Indigenous tribes of Australia and the white history and modern politics of Australia but I don't think that audience really exists. If your target audience is are already familiar with these things, why make the film|? I just get the feeling he hasn't thought it through. Its a shame, because its a great idea, and the films has some nice touches and a lot of energy to it but ultimately its pretty amateur.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

5/10/17 Watched on the flights from ADL-BNE An interesting view of the change in how the Southern Cross has been viewed over time

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Warwick Thornton

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Unknown Actor

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86%

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Director: Warwick Thornton