Mullet (film)

Mullet is an Australian film released in 2001, written and directed by David Caesar, and starring Ben Mendelsohn, Susie Porter and Andrew Gilbert.

Plot summary
In the film, Eddie (Ben Mendelsohn) returns to his home town on the south coast of New South Wales. Having left for the city without explanation 3 years ago, he tries to pick up the pieces of his life and fit back into the lives of those he left, including his ex-girlfriend Tully (Susie Porter) and brother Pete (Andrew Gilbert). The title of the film comes from Eddie's nickname and from his attempts to make a living poaching mullet.

The film succeeds in a very human portrayal of the difficulties in living on the fringe of a close-knit community. The drama of the developing relationships is supported by very dry comedy (archetypical Australian humour) and detailed but understated design.

Production
The film was based on a short story written by writer-director David Caesar who grew up on the South Coast of New South Wales. Caesar and Producer Vincent Sheehan stated that the budget for the film was approximately A$1 million. The film was shot mostly in Kiama over four weeks in June 2000 with the football scenes at Chapman Oval at Blowhole Point, the fish shop scenes at Kiama Harbour, the home scenes at the Honey farm near Kiama, and the police station scenes at Kiama Police station with mullet fishing scenes near Seven Mile Beach. Pub scenes included various places including a cameo by famous Australian rugby league player Mick Cronin Mick Cronin on the steps of his Cronin’s Pub in the town of Gerringong Originally, Sheehan had intended to shoot interiors in Sydney, but found the cost of doing so was prohibitive within the film's budget. Production benefitted from the involvement of the local residents and the community, including the Kiama Knights rugby league club. Cameo performances include Bryan Brown as the voice of the never seen publican and Steve Starling who is an Australian fishing personality in the credits as mullet wrangler.l While shooting was undertaken on a tight schedule, in it was eight years from first concept to completion.

Total box office has been reported as A$1,157,161.

Awards and nominations
AFI Awards, 2001
 * Nominated: Best Actor
 * Nominated: Best Supporting Actor
 * Nominated: Best Supporting Actress
 * Nominated: Best Director
 * Nominated: Best Original Screenplay

Australian Screen Sound Guild, 2001
 * Won: Best Achievement in Sound for a Feature Film – Dialogue & ADR Editing

Australian Writers' Guild, 2001
 * Won: Awgie Award – Feature Film – Original

Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards, 2001
 * Won: Best Screenplay – Original
 * Won: Best Supporting Actor – Male
 * Nominated: Best Actor – Male
 * Nominated: Best Director
 * Nominated: Best Film
 * Nominated: Best Supporting Actor – Female

Shanghai International Film Festival, 2001
 * Won: Best Director

Box office
Mullet grossed $1,165,606 at the box office in Australia.