by FilmInk Staff
November 9th at 6pm at the Gala Cinema, Warrawong
Tickets available at the Gala website
Mullet is back. David Caesar’s Aussie gem, starring Ben Mendelsohn as an outsider returning to his NSW South Coast hometown after a long absence.
Screen Illawarra presents a 25th anniversary screening of the 4K restoration of the original film on Sunday, November 9th at 6pm at the Gala Cinema Warrawong.
Life in a small NSW coastal fishing town of Coollawarra is disrupted when former football hero and local larrikin Mullet (Ben Mendelsohn) returns to face everything he walked out on three years earlier. His reappearance doesn’t just reopen old wounds, it shakes the very foundations of the tight-knit community.
From renowned Australian writer/director David Caesar comes a bittersweet, often comic exploration of love, relationships and belonging. Bolstered by a superb supporting cast including Susie Porter, Andrew S. Gilbert, Belinda McClory, Kris McQuade, Tony Barry, Wayne Blair, Peta Brady, Aaron Blabey and Steve Le Marquand, this is Caesar at his best — rich with droll humour and aching insight, as Mullet’s return uncovers the dreams and disappointments of all those around him.
Shot entirely in the Illawarra in June 2000, the film captures a vivid sense of small-town coastal Australia in the mid-nineties. Set in the fictitious town of Coollawarra — a name
created to honour the many locations and communities of the region — the film is, at its heart, a love letter to the Illawarra itself. It reflects the people and places of the area and
was brought to life through their hands-on support and good humour: from the illustrious Kiama Knights, who became the local rugby league team the Coollawarra Crows; to local
fishing identity Steve Starling, who supplied fresh mullet (and appears in a cameo); to Mick Cronin’s iconic hotel — where the Parramatta football legend showed Belinda McClory the finer points of pouring a perfect beer; to Illawarra netball legend Val Bunker, who provided players, uniforms and Cps for Susie Porter and Peta Brady and so many others.
Mullet was the first feature film supported by newly formed Film Illawarra, under the guidance of Deborah McBride, who also doubled as extras casting director. Producer Vincent Sheehan says. “David Caesar and I are thrilled to bring Mullet back to the Gala – the very cinema where it first opened for an exclusive two-week run before its national release 24 years ago. What a treasure the Gala Cinema is for the Illawarra.”
The screening will take place at the Gala, 204 Cowper Street, Warrawong. Director David Caesar and Producer Vincent Sheehan will be on hand with a few words to say and some
memorabilia give aways.
“The ensemble cast is flawless.”
David Stratton, Australia at the Movies
“Simply an outstanding Australian film. This film is the real thing. It’s a true Australian gem.”
Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile
Also available to rent or own on Blu-ray or digital now.
Credit block:
SHOWTIME AUSTRALIA PRESENTS A PORCHLIGHT FILMS PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH
THE NEW SOUTH WALES FILM AND TELEVISION OFFICE AND SBS INDEPENDENT • MULLET
BEN MENDELSOHN • SUSIE PORTER • ANDREW S GILBERT • BELINDA MCCLORY
KRIS MCQUADE • TONY BARRY • PETA BRADY • WAYNE BLAIR • MAKE UP KATHERINE BROWN
SOUND DESIGNER LIAM EGAN • COMPOSER PAUL HEALY • COSTUME DESIGNER MELINDA DORING
PRODUCTION DESIGNER ELIZABETH MARY MOORE • EDITOR MARK PERRY
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT HUMPHREYS • PRODUCED BY VINCENT SHEEHAN
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY DAVID CAESAR
