Romulus, My Father (2007)

Director:

Richard Roxburgh

Writers:

Nick Drake (writer)
Raimond Gaita (memoir)

Release Date:

31 May 2007 (Australia)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Plot:

It tells the story of Romulus, his beautiful wife, Christina, and their struggle in the face of great adversity to bring up their son, Raimond. It is a story of impossible love that ultimately celebrates the unbreakable bond between father and son.

Plot Keywords:

Love | Romanian | Melbourne | Old Woman | Madness

Awards:

8 wins & 23 nominations

Cast

Eric Bana	...	Romulus
Franka Potente	...	Christina
Marton Csokas	...	Hora
Kodi Smit-McPhee	...	Raimond
Russell Dykstra	...	Mitru
Jacek Koman	...	Vacek
Alethea McGrath	...	Mrs. Lillie
Terry Norris	...	Tom Lillie
Esme Melville	...	Miss Collard
Nick Peace	...	Teacher
Geoffrey Graham	...	Man in Cafe
Trevor Nesbitt	...	Man in Cafe
Zoe Boesen	...	Young Woman in Cafe
Briega Young	...	Young Woman in Cafe
Laurie Jensen	...	Taxi Driver

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality, some violence and brief language.

Runtime:

104 min | Canada:109 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

Australia

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Canada:14A | USA:R | Argentina:13 | Singapore:M18 | Brazil:14 | Finland:K-15 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Bendigo, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Arenafilm

Trivia:

Eric Bana stated in an interview that during filming, he remembered much of his own family's struggles and as a result, it felt a bit like his own history.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the diner scene, Christina plays the record "My Prayer" by the Platters on the Laurie label. The record was actually released on Mercury.

Quotes:

Raimond: Excuse me, who was that singing?
[indicates gramophone]
Girl on the porch: Jerry Lee Lewis. They call him the Killer.
Raimond: Why?
Girl on the porch: Because he kills people I guess.

Soundtrack:

Real Wild Child

Very special movie - an Australian classic for sure

This is a an extremely compelling and moving film. I just cannot get the story and characters out of my head.

The casting was absolutely perfect, each and every actor was incredibly well chosen and there is no hint of Hollywoodness about any of them. Kodi Smit-McPhee is unbelievable in the role of Raymond Gaita, I almost never wish to see him in any other role and want to remember him as Raymond forever.

It is quite difficult to get hold of this book which I'm keen to do to read the aspects of the story which the film didn't cover. I had read the book reviews so was aware of the family's past history but my husband found some parts a little confusing - he felt it would have been beneficial to focus some time on the Gaita's initial arrival in Australia and how this affected each character. He found it a great movie but a little 'arty'. Lots of the story is non-verbal and you can read the story in the faces of the characters and the feeling of the landscape. I loved this movie and would highly recommend it to everybody!