By Erin Free
Now a legend of the Australian film industry, actress Tracy Mann (left) looks back on her 1982 cult favourite Going Down, which is headed back into cinemas with a newly restored print.
Now famous and much loved for her memorable performances in Australian TV mini-series (The Four-Minute Mile, Cyclone Tracy, Sword Of Honour), weekly dramas (A Country Practice, All Together Now, The Flying Doctors, Home And Away, Rake), feature films (Top End Wedding, Felony, Reckless Kelly) and genuine cult items (Hard Knocks, Fast Talking, TV’s Sweet And Sour), one of actress Tracy Mann’s earliest lead performances came in 1982’s Going Down, an Aussie film like no other.
Shot on a low budget in near-guerilla style by highly inventive and ingenious director Haydn Keenan in a bustling, grungy Sydney now lost to the swirling sands of time, Going Down is a high-energy comedy drama that unfolds over one eventful night. Tracy Mann’s Karli is set to leave Sydney for the blindingly bright lights of New York, and concocts a mighty farewell with her three share-house friends, which sends the quartet dashing heatedly from the city and Kings Cross to Bondi in search of good, not always clean, fun.
Written by Melissa Woods and two of the film’s co-stars, Moira Maclaine-Cross and Julie Barry, Going Down was a rare female-driven Aussie flick for the time, and speaks boldly and without fear or favour to the youth of the time. A wildly entertaining early 1980s cinematic time capsule, Going Down has been painstakingly restored and now returns to cinemas after its highly successful first run, and an impressive recent run in the US.
“Halcyon days,” laughs Tracy Mann of Going Down and the early, effervescent days of what would become a brilliant career indeed…
What was your first contact with Going Down? How did you come on board the production?
“Well, it was 45 years ago! Let’s just say, Haydn asked and I said yes. I’m always happy to be asked.”
What was it like working with the predominantly female cast?
“For me, it was more the fact that the script was female driven, conceived and written. Julie Barry and Moira McLaine-Cross were at the forefront. That was a rare thing in those days.”
What was it like on set?
“Chaotic, wild, fun, all-nighters, tiring, perhaps drugs were involved [kidding].” [Note from director Haydn Keenan: “It was hard work…there were no drugs! Tracy is joking!”]
The film was received very warmly upon release…do you have strong memories of that?
“To my shame, I missed the opening of Going Down because, like my character Kali, I was on a plane to New York. The self-absorption of youth! But I do recall the late David Stratton declaring that Going Down was his favourite Australian film, which was most gratifying.”
Looking back on Going Down, do you think things have gotten easier or more difficult for actors in Australia?
“It’s a completely different ball game now. Whether it’s easier or more difficult I can’t really say. Self-testing has given actors a bigger pool to swim in, as in globally, but that also makes it a bigger pool for casting directors to choose from. Actually, it’s always been difficult. There is never enough work for everyone to make a decent living, and I fear it will be ever thus.”
Have you seen the new restoration? If so, how does it feel watching the film today? Adjacent to that, how does it feel to be talking about Going Down again?
“I have seen it and it’s like watching my unwritten memoir! And sadly, many of the cast are no longer with us, so in that way it’s a wonderful tribute. With that in mind, it’s an absolute privilege to be able to talk about Going Down again. It’s also great knowing that a younger audience are going to see a Sydney that no longer exists, but will still resonate.”
With great projects like Hard Knocks, Going Down, Sweet & Sour (and more!), the early 1980s looked like a great time for you…do you have fond feelings about that time?
“Ah yes, I was the mini-series queen in the 80’s. Halcyon days. I am grateful I survived it, because drugs were involved [not kidding!].”
Are there are any other specific films or TV projects on your resume that you would like to see restored and re-released?
“Sweet & Sour. It is in a certain demographics’ DNA which I am reminded of, by that certain demographic, on a fairly regular basis.”
You’ve been working almost non-stop since Going Down came out in 1983…what have you got going at the moment?
“Most recently, The Twelve: Season 3, Top End Bub and Reckless, which can all be seen on various streaming services. Like I said, different ball game! After 53 years in the business of show, I’m still grateful to be asked, considered, and thought of. May it continue…”
Going Down will be released in cinemas on May 14. Stay tuned for more on Going Down.
