Lake Mungo (2008)

A supernatural drama about grief.

Director:

Joel Anderson

Writer:

Joel Anderson

Stars:

Rosie Traynor, David Pledger, Martin Sharpe

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rosie Traynor	...	June Palmer
David Pledger	...	Russell Palmer
Martin Sharpe	...	Mathew Palmer
Talia Zucker	...	Alice Palmer
Tania Lentini	...	Georgie Ritter
Cameron Strachan	...	Leith Ritter
Judith Roberts	...	Iris Long
Robin Cuming	...	Garret Long
Marcus Costello	...	Jason Whittle
Chloe Armstrong	...	Kim Whittle
Carole Patullo	...	Sargent Drouin
John Dunn	...	Funeral Director
Laurie Dunn	...	Funeral Director
Kirsty McDonald	...	Genevieve Trudeau
James Lawson	...	Frederick Rosskamp

Storyline

Sixteen-year-old ALICE PALMER drowns while swimming in the local dam. When her body is recovered and a verdict of accidental death returned, her grieving family buries her. The family then experiences a series of strange and inexplicable events centered in and around their home. Profoundly unsettled, the Palmers seek the help of psychic and parapsychologist, RAY KEMENY. Ray discovers that Alice led a secret, double life. A series of clues lead the family to Lake Mungo where Alice's secret past emerges. Lake Mungo is a mystery, a thriller and a ghost story.

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Plot Keywords:

lake | secret | drown | psychic | ghost | 

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Taglines:

If you've never seen a ghost... Look closer.

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a scene of sexuality, and brief gruesome images

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 January 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

O Segredo do Lago Mungo

Filming Locations:

Ararat, Victoria, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD 1,400,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mungo Productions, Screen Australia, SBS Independent

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min 89 min (European Film Market)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

A promotional poster for The Beatles' album "Love" is on the wall in the background of a photo of Alice (59 minutes and 30 seconds). "Love" was released in November of 2006. Alice died in December of 2005.

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Quotes

Kim Whittle: Alice kept secrets.She kept the fact that she kept secrets a secret.

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Soundtracks

"Ruido"
Written by Fernando Corona
Performed by Murcof

User Reviews

The best of the trendy Horror "Mockumentaries"

After "Blair Witch Project" the scary "mocumentary" business went through the roof. Ten years later, the trend is still going strong, with at least a couple dozen films with the same concept of hand-held terror. "Lake Mungo" is by far the best since "Blair Witch". It accomplishes much more than this year's other big effort, "Paranormal Activity", which, I found rather tame at best. Played almost as a television news special, "Lake Mungo" is the most believable entry thus far. The downplayed, monotone performances of the actors is very effective. The naturalism they maintain only adds more edge and anxiety to the story. And speaking of story, unlike most of the other first person horror movies, "Lake Mungo" actually has a good one. It's an honest mystery, full of secrets and lies, wrapped around a paranormal thriller. It has enough twists, turns and enough surprises/scares to keep anyone's attention. Rarely have I experienced so many chills in one sitting. Don't wait for the Hollywood re-make already in the works, there's no need, the Australians got it right the first time (unlike you, Hollywood.) Don't miss one of the best horror films of 2009.