Mullet is an Australian film released in 2001, written and directed by David Caesar, and starring Ben Mendelsohn, Susie Porter and Andrew Gilbert.
Plot summary In the film, Eddie returns to his home town on the south coast of New South Wales. Having left for the city without explanation three years ago, he tries to pick up the pieces of his life and fit back into the lives of those he left, including his ex-girlfriend Tully and brother Pete. The title of the film comes from Eddie's nickname and from his attempts to make a living poaching mullet.
Cast Actor Character Ben Mendelsohn Eddie 'Mullet' Maloney Susie Porter Tully Andrew Gilbert Peter Maloney Belinda McClory Kay Tony Barry Col Maloney Kris McQuade Gwen Maloney Peta Brady Robbie Wayne Blair James Paul Kelman Gary Steve Le Marquand Jones Aaron Blabey Terry Jim Webb Big Bloke Nash Edgerton Winger Bryan Brown Publican (voice)
Production The film is based on a short story written by Caesar, who grew up on the South Coast of New South Wales. It was shot mostly in Kiama over four weeks in June 2000, with a budget of approximately . From conception to completion, the process of making Mullet took eight years.Mullet website, “It can take a long time to get a movie up in Australia ”. Retrieved January 2008
Filming locations include Chapman Oval at Blowhole Point, the fish shop at Kiama Harbour, Kiama Police Station and Seven Mile Beach. Originally, producer Vincent Sheehan had intended to shoot interiors in Sydney, but found the cost of doing so was prohibitive within the film's budget.
Cameos include Bryan Brown as the voice of the never-seen publican, Steve Starling as a mullet wrangler and Australian rugby league player Mick Cronin on the steps of his Cronin’s Hotel in the town of Gerringong. The Kiama Knights rugby league club were also involved in production.
Awards and nominations
AFI Awards, 2001 Nominated: Best Actor Nominated: Best Supporting Actor Nominated: Best Supporting Actress Nominated: Best Director Nominated: Best Original Screenplay
Australian Screen Sound Guild, 2001 Won: Best Achievement in Sound for a Feature Film – Dialogue & ADR Editing
Australian Writers' Guild, 2001 Won: Awgie Award – Feature Film – Original
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards, 2001 Won: Best Screenplay – Original Won: Best Supporting Actor – Male Nominated: Best Actor – Male Nominated: Best Director Nominated: Best Film Nominated: Best Supporting Actor – Female
Shanghai International Film Festival, 2001 Won: Best Director
Box office Mullet grossed approximately $1.5 million at the box office in Australia.Murdoch University Culture & Communication Reading Room – Megan Johnson, 2004, Mullet , 2004. Retrieved January 2008
See also Cinema of Australia
References
External links Review by John Flaus: An Impressionist Work: Mullet, senses of cinema, 2001. Retrieved January 2008 Official website Mullet at the National Film and Sound Archive
Mullet at Oz Movies