Bran Nue Dae (2009)

In the Summer of 1969 a young man is filled with the life of the idyllic old pearling port Broome - fishing, hanging out with his mates and his girl. However his mother returns him to the ... See full summary »

Director:

Rachel Perkins

Writers:

Reg Cribb (screenplay), Rachel Perkins (screenplay),

Stars:

Rocky McKenzie, Jessica Mauboy, Ernie Dingo

3 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rocky McKenzie	...	Willie
Jessica Mauboy	...	Rosie
Ernie Dingo	...	Uncle Tadpole
'Missy' Higgins	...	Annie
Geoffrey Rush	...	Father Benedictus
Deborah Mailman	...	Roxanne
Tom Budge	...	Slippery
Magda Szubanski	...	Roadhouse Betty
Ningali Lawford	...	Theresa (as Ningali Lawford-Wolf)
Stephen B'Aamba Albert	...	Pastor Flakkon (as Stephen Baamba Albert)
Dan Sultan	...	Lester
Josiah Page	...	Tommy
Hunter Page-Lochard	...	Peter (as Hunter Page)
Samson Page	...	Daryl
Dayle Garlett	...	Dorm Boy

Storyline

In the Summer of 1969 a young man is filled with the life of the idyllic old pearling port Broome - fishing, hanging out with his mates and his girl. However his mother returns him to the religious mission for further schooling. After being punished for an act of youthful rebellion, he runs away from the mission on a journey that ultimately leads him back home.

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Plot Keywords:

fight over girl | jealous man | gas station | candy bar | corporal punishment in school | 

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Taglines:

Going Home Never Felt So Good

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 January 2010 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Palavi kainouria mera

Filming Locations:

Broome, Western Australia, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD 6,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$23,527 (USA) (10 September 2010)

Gross:

$110,029 (USA) (2 October 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Robyn Kershaw Productions, Mayfan, Film Victoria

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min 88 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Robin Williams was interested in playing Father Benedictus.

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Quotes

Uncle Tadpole: Who likes Rolf Harris?
Willie: I hate Rolf Harris!
Slippery: Who is Rolf Harris?

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Connections

Featured in Maltin on Movies: The Romantics (2010)

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Soundtracks

"Feel Like Going Back Home"
Written by Stephen Pigram
Performed by Ernie Dingo and 'Missy' Higgins

User Reviews

Aboriginal musical romp - Great cast, catchy tunes, good fun

BRAN NUE DAE (aboriginal speak for "Brand New Day") is a joyous musical romp which celebrates Australia's indigenous culture. The movie tells the story - in song, dance and dialogue - of an aboriginal boy's escape from a Catholic boarding school in Perth in the 1960s and misadventures with hippies (Missy Higgins and Tom Budge) and Uncle Tadpole (Ernie Dingo) in a "Kombi" Campervan on his journey back to his sweetheart in hometown, Broome, pursued by the relentless Father Benedictus (Geoffrey Rush).

In the 1990s, I had enjoyed the stage musical written by Broome musician/playwright, Jimmy Chi, but was intrigued as to how it might be adapted to the big screen. I was not disappointed. Director Rachel Perkins does a fine job of retaining the exuberance of the stage production while incorporating new elements that only cinema can provide. Like most road comedies, BRAN NUE DAE revolves around a series of skits, most of which are very funny. The cast are excellent, especially Ernie Dingo and Jessica Mauboy, with suitably over-the-top performances by Geoffrey Rush, Deborah Mailman and Magda Szubanski. The tunes are catchy and infectious.

BRAN NUE DAE touches lightly upon aboriginal rights issues, but mostly it is good old fashioned vaudevillian fun. Go see it!