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The Real Deal
We speak to Dennis Kreusler about his latest role in the Aussie thriller, Burlesque, which is set to screen at the 2010 Melbourne Underground Film Festival.
Australian actor Dennis Kreusler has been busy. In the past few years he has scored small roles in an array of television and film dramas including X-Men Origins:Wolverine, The Pacific and Beneath Hill 60.
Unlike other Australian actors who kick-started their careers locally, Kreusler made his acting break in Japan starring in television commercials and partaking in modeling work. After coming home to Australia, he took to acting professionally.
Since then, Kreusler has been making a name for himself locally and internationally. Having just returned from LA, Kreusler was surprised at the demand for Australian actors in Hollywood, who are becoming increasingly renowned for their ‘realness'.
"Australians are sought after over there ... as male actors we bring a raw physicality to the camera and we're not afraid to get in there and take a bit of bark off the elbow and get our hands dirty. We'll jump right in there and be 100% committed," he tells FILMINK.
Kreusler continues to bring his realistic and gritty portrayal of characters to his latest role in Burlesque, a dark and twisted thriller by Australian writer/director Dominic Deacon.
Burlesque is the story of Frank Bannister (Haydn Evans), a depressed and reclusive writer of horror stories who is visited one night by a pair of seductive burlesque dancers, Veronica (Christina Hallet) and Tammy (Poppy Cherry). The temptresses promise to make all of Frank's dreams come true, except that Frank's dreams are a lot like his stories - full of violence, sex, revenge and murder.
Kreusler plays the character of Richard, Frank's friend and the new partner of Frank's ex-wife, who finds himself caught up in Frank's dangerous game.
"Richard is a normal guy. He's loving, attentive but he'll do anything to protect the one he loves," Kreusler explains. "That leads to some dark situations through Frank's adventures with the burlesque dancers."
For Kreusler, playing the character of Richard marks a departure from his previous roles as military officers and police detectives. However, the physical nature of the role and the intriguing narrative of Burlesque attracted him to the project.
"This was a genre and a film that was quite different from the typical military production. I went from being on a war film to a set with some gorgeous burlesque dancers, that's a radical change," the actor audibly grins.
He believes that the specialised training he received in the past in preparation for his roles in The Pacific and Beneath Hill 60, as well as his extensive experience as a stuntman (Kreusler is also qualified in knife and sword fighting) helped him to secure his role in Burlesque.
Burlesque is the second production from Dank Films, an independent feature production company based in Melbourne. Despite the film's low budget and hectic nine day shooting-schedule, Kreusler only has praise for his fellow cast and crew members.
"It was a pleasure to work with them all ... It was a well-oiled machine," he commends.
Burlesque will be screening at this year's Melbourne Underground Film Festival with audience members treated to a special performance from burlesque dancers to add to the theme of the night.
For Kreusler, this will be the first time a film he has worked on will feature in a festival. It is an experience he is looking forward to.
"For the film to get into the festival is great exposure for everyone. And it's everyone from the actors, to production, the whole crew. It's a feather in everyone's cap. Everyone's collaborating to create the best production we can. Everyone wants to succeed and create a piece of art at the end of the day," he enthuses.
Burlesque will be screening at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival on August 26. For more information visit the Festival website.