Fan Casting Riders on the Storm

It’s 1971, and David Gulpilil, an 18-year-old Aboriginal actor fresh off his cinematic debut in Walkabout, is taking his first steps into a world far removed from the Arnhem Land where he grew up. Touring across international cities, he’s bewildered by his sudden stardom and grappling with a culture that celebrates him as an icon yet is blind to the depths of his roots. Amid the whirlwind, he crosses paths with Bob Marley in a shared hotel lobby, drawn together by the mutual fascination of their heritages. David introduces Bob to the ancient tones of the didgeridoo, while Bob shares the spirituality of ganja. This chance encounter forms a bond between them, one that soon attracts other free spirits of the time, each of whom sees in David a unique connection to his journey: John Lennon, seeking purpose post-Beatles; Bruce Lee, a symbol of strength and Eastern philosophy; Marlon Brando, wrestling with Hollywood’s hypocrisy; and Jimi Hendrix, embodying the music and magic of rebellion.