Australian Rules (2002)

Director:

Paul Goldman

Writers:

Paul Goldman (screenplay)
Phillip Gwynne (novel)

Release Date:

29 August 2002 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Sport

Tagline:

Play by the rules. Live by the rules.

Plot:

In Prospect Bay, a remote outpost on the South Australian coast, two communities, the Goonyas (whites) and the Nungas (blacks)...

Plot Keywords:

Football | Friend | Racism | Pub | Grief

Awards:

7 wins & 17 nominations

Cast

Nathan Phillips	...	Gary 'Blacky' Black
Luke Carroll	...	Dumby Red
Lisa Flanagan	...	Clarence
Tom Budge	...	Pickles
Simon Westaway	...	Bob Black
Celia Ireland	...	Liz Black
Kevin Harrington	...	Arks
Martin Vaughan	...	Darcy
Tony Briggs	...	Pretty
Brian Torry	...	Glenn Bright
Max Fairchild	...	Big Mac
Eileen Darley	...	Shirl
Paul Simpson	...	Bar Regular
Denis Noble	...	Bar Regular
Kelton Pell	...	Tommy Red

Also Known As:

Deadly Unna (Australia) (working title)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA | Australia:M (re-rating on appeal) | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:11

Filming Locations:

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Company:

Adelaide Festival of Arts

Trivia:

Dumby is buried in a jumper of the Essendon Football Club. This club, based in Melbourne, is noted for its support of indigenous footballers.

Goofs:

Continuity: The shot of Dumby in the coffin show his body laid out below the edge of the coffin. However when Blacky kisses him goodbye, Dumby's head is above the level of the coffin edge.

Great, underexposed Australian film

it's been a long time since i've posted a review. i didn't think i needed to. but this film makes me think otherwise.

Australian Rules is a small film. Even by Australian standards. Yet I think it is a highly important film.

It is understandable that the local Aboriginal community may not have wanted to participate in this production. It was probably too close for comfort.

The first part of the film is the carefree, commedic and spirited aspect. It showed signs of the signature Australian 90s filmmaking, the quirky, commedic and feel good type of movie. Then it moves onto the tragic and the dramatic. I think the latter is far more interesting and I am glad that the new wave of Australian filmmaking are concentrating on these aspects (Lantana, Rabbit Proof Fence, Till Human Voices Wake Us).

Australian Rules is a sensitive film. It deals with contentious issues and things we would probably rather not know about. This film has a social conscience and is extremely relevant in this day and age to Australia.

Everyone was great in it. From the coach, to the racist 'manly' father, to Blacky, to Clarence to Dumbie and even Pickles. Special mention to Blacky's mother, the intelligent, wise (and football fanatic) woman who still puts up with her husband's abuse but like Blacky, seems to be above her company.

More people should see this film. Especially Australians.