He Died with a Felafel in His Hand (2001)

Director:

Richard Lowenstein

Writers:

John Birmingham (novel)
Richard Lowenstein (written by)

Release Date:

30 August 2001 (Australia)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Some people will do anything to get out of paying the rent

Plot:

A nightmare chase through hell in a never-ending, unrequited daisy chain of desire...

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film | Based On Novel

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Noah Taylor	...	Danny
Emily Hamilton	...	Sam
Romane Bohringer	...	Anya
Alex Menglet	...	Taylor
Brett Stewart	...	Flip
Damian Walshe-Howling	...	Milo
Sophie Lee	...	Nina
Francis McMahon	...	Dirk
Ian Hughes	...	Iain the Socialist
Robert Rimmer	...	Derek the Bank Clerk
Sayuri Tanoue	...	Satomi Tiger
Linal Haft	...	Brisbane Goon 1
Nathan Kotzur	...	Brisbane Goon 2
Haskel Daniel	...	Jabber
Skye Wansey	...	Detective O'Neil

Also Known As:

E morì con un felafel in mano (Italy)

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

Australia | Italy

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Hungary:16 | USA:Not Rated | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

2 Taylor Street, Annerley, Queensland, Australia

Company:

Fandango

Trivia:

The opening line of the credits reads 'For Michael 1960 -1997', referring to Michael Hutchence, a close friend of director Lowenstein.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the scene with Dirk and Nina arguing over the pineapple chunks, the label on the can changes from shot to shot, from "pineapple pieces" to "sliced pineapple". Neither can contains "pineapple chunks" as said in the dialogue.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Danny: Flip, turn the fucking TV off! People are trying to sleep.
[Flip does not respond]
Danny: Flip, have some fucking consideration.
[Danny turns the TV off]
Danny: For Christ's sake, Flip... Flipster? Oh, shit. Shit! Fuck!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane (2007)

Soundtrack:

Ride of the Valkyries

Great, but best for the Aussies

A great Aussie film successfully continuing the tradition of character based humour that made shows such as the BBC's 'The Young Ones' so successful. The protagonist's frequent housing changes and philosophical musings are entertaining and while there isn't so much as an overall plot to tie it all together, you are absorbed by the gripping personalities of the characters. The film contains every sort of bizarre and twisted personality imaginable and flaunts them in a parade of pagan rituals, drug abuse, vaguely criminal activity and postmodern angst. However much of the humour relies on an understanding of Australian stereotypes and only viewers who are able to connect Queensland with cane toads and right wing military nut jobs, Melbourne with gangland crime and dodgy police, and Sydney with anal retentives, will appreciate the farcical situations that arise.

Not nearly as gritty as 'Trainspotting' but if the bizarre lives and apathetic self discovery of that appealed to you then you'll probably appreciate 'He Died with a Felafel in His Hand' as well. Not for people who aren't prepared to accept subtlety in films.