"I go to bed with all my friends."

“It is an extremely common mistake - people think the writer’s imagination is always at work, that he is constantly inventing an endless supply of incidents and episodes, that he simply dreams up his stories out of thin air. In point of fact, the opposite is true. Once the public know you are a writer, they bring the characters and events to you.”** - Mr. Wilkinson.

I watched The Grand Budapest Hotel twice in six days and would now like Wes Anderson to be the creative director for my life. 

**Thanks to Jerod McLaughlin for paying more attention to that opening quote than I did. Both times I heard it.

Vignetting Vic Exhibition

I am, by no means, a bonafide photographer. I can, however, take a good shot or two and have been using film cameras for the last year or so. So far, Lomography cameras have been my weapon of choice, because they're easily attainable, simple to use and oh so freaking cute. I was lucky enough to have a photo of mine selected recently for a Lomo Australia exhibition, which focussed on images of the great state of Victoria and is currently running at the No Vacancy Project Space at Federation Square. 

My baby, Pins

I, of course, had to attend the opening party last night, which featured a lot (and I mean A LOT) of cool customers, bevs and really really impressive images (all within a really really tiny space). Despite mutterings of 'hipsters', 'shit cameras and shit photos', it was an overall fun vibe, with flashes going off and polaroids being given away. No doubt these 'other' people needed to loosen the buttons on their work shirt, be grateful for the free booze and shut the fuck up.

Me and my baby

I haven't shot a roll of film for a minute but am missing the process of shooting, forgetting, remembering, developing and being pleasantly surprised. For an anxious person, film photography can be like yoga or tai chi or Xanax. It's therapeutic and forces you to practice patience and consideration. And the appreciation of that awesome shot that turns out unexpectedly - or the ability to accept all the failed attempts despite your best efforts and intentions - really is the ultimate payoff. Inadvertantly, it becomes something that brings you peace, relaxation, learning curves and excitement. 

Scoff if you like, it sounds wanky, I know. But it doesn't have to be film photography. Maybe your thing is pottery. Maybe it's cycling. Maybe it's customising high-heeled hooker boots. Fuck, who cares. There's always that thing that allows you to escape, explore and create. This is mine.

If you're in this wonderful city, definitely take a minute to check out the space. Check out the venue and exhibition info after the jump.

K.x

'Look at these Mad Bastards'

Confronting and heart-warming, the film Mad Bastards lets audiences into the broken homes of Indigenous Australians. It’s a worthwhile journey but not one for the faint-hearted.

Image courtesy of Transmission Films

There’s a lot of stigma placed on the issues faced by Australia’s Indigenous communities but little has been done to really explore and understand where these issues stem from. Recent Indigenous films such as Bran Nue Dae and Samson and Delilah have helped to shed light on the realities faced by these communities. And now Mad Bastard, which was inspired by the oral stories of the Kimberley people, aims to do the same.

In his feature film debut, director Brendan Fletcher takes a raw look at the lives of some deeply troubled Indigenous characters and their continuous struggle with violence, alcoholism and broken families.

Set mainly in the majestic Kimberley region of North Western Australia Mad Bastards follows TJ (Dean Daley-Jones), a hard-drinking ex-con, as he makes the physical and emotional journey to meet his 13-year-old son, Bullet (Lucas Yeeda) for the first time. Bullet’s mother Nella (Ngaire Pigram) has her hands full, juggling her pyromaniac son, abusive partners and alcoholism. Nella’s father Texas (Greg Tait) is the local cop and takes it upon himself to set a good example and help improve his community’s situation.

The stories of these characters are almost one and the same, as each has his or her own demons but ultimately wants to conquer them for the benefit of the family. I should warn you; this film does not tiptoe around the issue. Anyone with aversions to violence and coarse language should probably stay away, as most of these characters do not use delicate language. I think that’s the beauty of these ‘mad bastards’ – the characters, the stories and performances are all so raw.

The cast is made up of non-professional actors, many of whom have lived the stories they’re portraying on-screen. I particularly loved Greg Tait’s turn as one of the only positive male role models in the movie, as well as Douglas Macale as the adorable Uncle Black. But overall, the actors’ performances were honest and refreshing and add to the authenticity of the film. Make sure you sit tight for their candid interviews at the end.

Image courtesy of Transmission Films

The film is scored throughout by the beautiful melodies of the Pigram Brothers, which at times felt a little more Hawaii than Kimberley, but provided a certain dreaminess and hope to the bleak storyline. This distinctive soundtrack also helped to tie in the many contrasts between settings and events throughout the film.

Mad Bastards really gives the audience an intimate look at an aspect of Australian society that most of us would not normally be exposed to. It’s confronting, heart-warming and enlightening. I found myself completely immersed in the journey and, in the end, I was as hopeful about these characters as they were.

Trailer courtesy of Transmission Films

K. x

Mad Bastards is screening now in selected cinemas across Australia. Visit madbastards.com.au for more details.

This review was first published on upstart magazine on 11 May 2011.