It’s
great news that our friend Donna McRae's acclaimed movie Johnny Ghost (which she produced, wrote, directed and edited) has just been released on DVD.
But
before Johnny Ghost, in 2008, in fact, there was Donna's short film Lamb of God. Indeed, that is how it was again last week, when both films screened in Melbourne, the latter on Wednesday, January 12 (for
a three week run at MARS Gallery as part of Make
Believe It's Nothing, an exhibition showcasing short films) and the former
at ACMI on Sunday, February 16 for two back-to-back screenings. What none but
the most ardent of cinephiles will know, is that Shane and I appear in both
movies. In the former we are mere extras. Our scenes were filmed in St Kilda's Dog's
Bar Cafe (we can be glimpsed in the background conducting a heated argument).
In the latter film, however, I don't think it would be too much of a stretch to
call us supporting players. Lamb of God's
non-linear narrative is based on the true story of Emma Williams, (1) a prostitute who was hanged for murder
in the Old Melbourne Gaol (as was its most notorious inmate, Ned Kelly).
Yesterday
Shane and called into MARS Gallery to revisit the film. We were thrilled to see
it in its original three-screen format. I've unearthed some
never-before-published snapshots that Shane and I took during the shoot. I
remember we had to rise very early in the morning so that the scenes in the Old Melbourne Gaol, which is a National Trust property, could be completed before
it was opened to the public for the day.
The
film is almost without dialogue. I played the hard-hearted prison guard who coldly pushes
Emma towards the hangman's noose. The superb Tamara Searle portrayed Emma.
Production Designer Michael Vale (2) was the chillingly sinister hangman. The D.O.P. of both
films was the brilliant Laszlo Baranyai.
Shane's
scenes were filmed at Latrobe's Cottage, which is also owned by the National
Trust. He played one of Emma's customers. I may be a tad prejudiced, but I
thought he was terrific in the role.
(1) Emma Williams was hanged on 4 November, 1895. To learn about Emma and other women
like her, visit CULTURE VICTORIA’s Felon
Families: Stories of Women Prisoners and their
Families
HERE.
(2) Michael Vale's wonderful film, The Long Walk, 2009, was the other
standout of the exhibition.
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| The Old Melbourne Gaol: a chilling place - it's not hard to believe the many claims that it is haunted |
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| We were each assigned a prison cell to change into our costumes. Coincidentally, I was given Emma Williams's cell. |
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| The affable Michael Vale chats to Tamara's Emma, prior to his transformation into Emma's hangman |
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| Running through a scene prior to shooting: from left, DK, Tamara Searle, Donna McRae and Laszlo Baranyai |
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| Latrobe's Cottage: Michael Vale assists Shane with his costume |
