Pawno is a 2015 Australian romantic comedy drama film set in the diverse and multicultural Melbourne suburb of Footscray. It was released in cinemas around Australia on 21 April 2016 by Mind Blowing World.
The film was directed by Paul Ireland from a script by Damian Hill. The two co-produced their debut feature film through their production company, Toothless Pictures. It stars John Brumpton, Kerry Armstrong, Maeve Dermody, Damian Hill, Mark Coles Smith and Malcolm Kennard.
The film premiered to critical success, and was the fastest-selling Australian film at the Melbourne International Film Festival 2015, finishing in the top 10 for the MIFF Audience Award. Film critic David Stratton, formerly of At the Movies, gave Pawno four stars in The Australian.
Plot synopsis Pawno is set in the multicultural suburb of Footscray, Victoria. A character-driven story, Pawno examines the intersecting lives of 14 local characters and their resident pawnbroker.
Cast John Brumpton as Les Underwood Maeve Dermody as Kate Damian Hill as Danny Williams Malcolm Kennard as Carlo Mark Coles Smith as Pauly Kerry Armstrong as Jennifer Montgomery Tony Rickards as Harry Daniel Frederiksen as Paige Turner Brad McMurray as Jason Spears John Orcsik as Tony Robinson Peta Brady as Kylie Jesse Velik as Jay
Production The film was independently funded through a crowd-funding campaign, and was shortlisted for the $100,000 CinefestOz Film Prize.
Reception Pawno holds a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Russell Marks in The Monthly gave the film a scathing review. "Australian cinema regularly produces better, funnier, more perceptive content than Pawno. The film's real quality is in its capacity to market both its multiculturalism and its localism, while reflecting a nostalgia among its audience for a mythic monoculture. Only about half the audience at the screening I was at were laughing, and a couple walked out partway through. I wanted to, but I also wanted to write about it."
Accolades Award Category Recipients Result AACTA Awards(6th)Best Original Screenplay Damian Hill Best ActorJohn BrumptonBest ActressMaeve DermodyBest Supporting ActorMark Coles SmithBest Supporting ActressKerry ArmstrongAntipodean Film Festival Jury Grand Prix, Best Feature film Paul IrelandAFCA AwardsBest FilmPaul IrelandDamian HillBest ScreenplayBest ActorJohn BrumptonFCCA AwardsBest Script/ScreenplayDamian HillBest ActorJohn BrumptonBest ActressMaeve DermodyBest Actor - Supporting RoleMark Coles SmithBest Actress - Supporting RoleKerry ArmstrongGolden Trailer AwardsBest Independent TrailerToothless PicturesMelbourne International Film FestivalPeople's Choice Award for Best Narrative FeaturePaul IrelandScreen Music Awards, AustraliaBest Original Song ("Those Friends of Mine")Tristan Dewey and Tai JordanTallinn Black Nights Film FestivalTridens Award for Best Music
External links Pawno on Internet Movie Database Pawno on Rotten Tomatoes
References