If you took the Ian Birk-John Williams shooting and moved it to an island off the coast of Australia, you’d get something akin to the situation explored in Tony Krawitz’s superb documentary about the mysterious death of an Aboriginal drunk taken into custody by a white cop on Palm Island. Only here the cop isn’t a jacked-up novice to the badge, but rather a seasoned “gentle giant” who’s well-respected by Aboriginal leaders. While the filmmaker’s sympathies clearly lie with the natives, he shrewdly constructs a nuanced narrative that lets viewers draw their own conclusions, and the score and cinematography give The Tall Man an artistic depth not often found in documentaries. (Also: SIFF Cinema Uptown, 3:30 p.m. Weds., May 30.) MIKE SEELY

Mon., May 28, 6:30 p.m., 2012