While Academy Award nominee Willem Defoe, knew where Tasmania was, he’d never heard of the Tasmanian tiger, so how does a distinguished Australian television director, Daniel Nettheim (Rush, All Saints), lure a Hollywood heavyweight into his first feature film, on the other side of the world?
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Daniel Nettheim
© The Ponder Room
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The producers of Animal Kingdom have brought us yet another terrific psychological drama that gives the world a peek into Australian life, without relying on jarring stereotypes, and pretty tourism images.
Drawn from the book by Australian author Julia Leigh, The Hunter follows Martin (Willem Defoe), a mercenary from Europe, as he journeys through the wilderness in search of the Tasmanian tiger. Employed by a biotech organisation, Martin is tasked with tracking the tiger and extracting genetic material. Shot in present tense, with no backstory to Martins character, and no voice over of his inner dialogue, the viewer is asked to join Martin on his silent quest through the wilderness, drawing their own conclusions along the way, rather than having things spelt out for them.
Martin is helped by Jack Mindy (Sam Neill), Lucy Armstrong (Frances O’Connor) and her two children, Sass (Morgana Davies) and the equally introspective son Bike (Finn Woodlock). Lurking in the background is acclaimed Australian actor Callan Mulvey (Rush, Thunderstruck). Subplots of conservation, forestry, family love, grief and jealousy add extra dimensions to the quest.
When asked about his influences, Nettheim points to Peter Weirs Picnic at Hanging Rock. Shot in Tasmania’s fog, cloud, and rain, The Hunter relies on atmospheric locales, rather than classic tourism shots. With a slow tempo, you can see the Hanging Rock influences. The use of locals as extras, added to the films authenticity.
‘Anyone with a nonspeaking part was a local’ explained Nettheim
When it came to casting Nettheim hoped he could interest Defoe. Indeed when writing the screenplay he’d see Defoe’s face ‘appear around the corner, like it did in Platoon.’ So how does a first time movie director lure one of Hollywood’s heavyweights, to a movie that has a budget far smaller than he’s used to?
Their first meeting lasted 1 – 1 ½ hours. Well prepared, Nettheim knew to focus on the collaborative nature of the process, and that it would be ‘a part he could make his own’. Defoe certainly does that, and then some, his silent performance drawing the audience into the slow burn of his journey, until the volatile conclusion.
Mention should also be made of the young male actor Woodlock, a non-actor he accompanied his sister to casting, only to be given a part while his sister missed out. His natural, wordless performance balanced beautifully with Defoe, making their scenes some of the most memorable.
When asked about the transition from television to film, Nettheim said it can be difficult, as some people assumed he’d simply make a telemovie, ‘but it was good, it pushed me to extend myself.’
Author Leigh chose not to look at any of the drafts, instead seeing it for the first time at the Toronto Film Festival. She must have been pleased with the positive reaction it received there, so to Screen Australia.
The Hunter opens in Australia on October 6th
As I left the movie I pondered …..
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What would I have done in Martins situation, if I had been asked to track the Tasmanian tiger and collect its DNA?
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Just like the Loch Ness Monster, the question remains whether the Tasmanian tiger exists or not. As Nettheim pointed out ‘37% of Tasmania is world heritage, so anything could be hiding in there’. To add to the speculation the movies website has interviews with several locals who claim to have seen the tiger http://www.thehuntermovie.com/
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So let’s see now, in terms of recent Australian movies, we’ve had Red Dog, and now the Tasmanian tiger, perhaps someone should put pen to paper and end the trilogy with ‘The return of Skippy’.
4 Comments
Great piece
thanks chris
Interesting read. Thank you. Interested in this film which is also going to be at the MyState Tasmania Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival the day before mine. Keen to meet (Producer of The Hunter) Vincent Sheehan who is doing a Q & A there.
Lincoln Fenner
Director/ Producer – ‘More 4 Me’
My pleasure Lincoln. Have just posted another piece about The Hunter which you might find interesting. Agree it would be good to talk to Vincent Sheehan. Good luck for Tasmania, am about to post about your involvement shortly (running behind schedule at the mo). Keep in touch about the outcome.