In My Father's Den (2004)

A disillusioned war journalist's return home is blighted when he becomes implicated in the mysterious disappearance of a teenage girl he has befriended.

Director:

Brad McGann

Writers:

Maurice Gee (novel), Brad McGann (screenplay)

Stars:

Matthew Macfadyen, Miranda Otto, Emily Barclay

19 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew Macfadyen	...	Paul Prior
Miranda Otto	...	Penny
Emily Barclay	...	Celia Steimer
Colin Moy	...	Andrew
Jimmy Keen	...	Jonathon
Jodie Rimmer	...	Jackie
Toby Alexander	...	Paul as a teenager
Vicky Haughton	...	Ms Seagar
Nicholas Hayward	...	Andrew as a teenager
Liam Herbert	...	Andrew as a child
Vanessa Riddell	...	Iris
Asher Emanuel	...	Paul as a child
Matthew Chamberlain	...	Jeff
Peter Hishon	...	Vet
Mabel Wharekawa	...	Winnie (as Mabel Burt)

Storyline

Paul, a prize-winning war journalist, returns to his remote New Zealand hometown due to the death of his father, battle-scarred and world-weary. For the discontented sixteen-year-old Celia he opens up a world she has only dreamed of. She actively pursues a friendship with him, fascinated by his cynicism and experience of the world beyond her small-town existence. But many, including the members of both their families, frown upon the friendship and when Celia goes missing, Paul becomes the increasingly loathed and persecuted prime suspect in her disappearance. As the violent and urgent truth gradually emerges, Paul is forced to confront the family tragedy and betrayal that he ran from as a youth, and to face the grievous consequences of silence and secrecy that has surrounded his entire adult life.

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Plot Keywords:

journalist | murder | prodigal son | bath | female nudity | 

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Taglines:

Who you set out to be isn't always who you become.

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Genres:

Mystery | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content, language, some violence and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Icon Films NZonScreen listing

Country:

New Zealand UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 2004 (New Zealand)

Also Known As:

Um Refúgio no Passado

Filming Locations:

Alexandra, Otago, New Zealand

Box Office

Budget:

NZD 7,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

IFMD Ltd., Little Bird Productions, Little Bird

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The wartime photographs used for the film were taken by South African photojournalist Greg Marinovich. The photograph of the child was taken by Romano Cagnoni.

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Quotes

[Paul is very drunk]
Paul Prior: Hey, I've got a joke. What sexual position produces the ugliest children?
Andrew: I don't know.
Paul Prior: Ask your mother!

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Soundtracks

"Into Dust"
Written by David Roback and Hope Sandoval
Performed by Mazzy Star

User Reviews

Brilliant

Having had to do NZ fiction at school over a decade ago and hating it, I was not sure what to expect with this film. It has made me want to go and buy the book and get back into the wonder of my country's literary heritage... but that's another story.

This film is beautiful. It's tense, funny (some of the cameos for kiwi's to look out for additional fun!)... it takes you into the heart and soul of the characters. The two main characters are portrayed so wonderfully, you feel you're an extension of them.

Not knowing the story probably helped as I was not expecting everything that comes to pass (don't want to spoil anything). The movie, though desperate at some times, makes you feel somewhat uplifted. Hope. By the way, does anyone know who did the painting? I loved it.