Broken Hill (2009)

Director:

Dagen Merrill

Writer:

Dagen Merrill (written by)

Release Date:

11 September 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Music

Plot:

A sheep-rancher's son aspires to win a music conservatory scholarship, but to apply he needs musicians who can play his music. Circumstances lead him to form a band out of prison inmates.

Plot Keywords:

Watermelon | Prison | Punishment | Sheep | Australian Aborigine

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Luke Arnold	...	Tommy McAlpine
Alexa Vega	...	Kat Rogers
Rhys Wakefield	...	Scott Price
Timothy Hutton	...	George McAlpine
Che Timmins	...	Kalai Takalua
John Clark	...	Maestro Pindari
Leo Taylor	...	Warden Bill Rude
Andy McPhee	...	Bear
George Kapiniaris	...	Ricardo Romero
Ebony Ween	...	Ricardo's Daughter
Luke O'Loughlin	...	Fuzz
Adam Groecke	...	Jock Boy (as Adam Grocke)
Peter Lamb	...	Officer Jack Taylor
Todd Telford	...	Bells Player - Jeffrey
Hung Le	...	Cho the Violin Player
Maud Davey	...	Social Worker - Dinitee Haskard (as Maude Davey)
Emma Rancie	...	Sharon
Dennis Noble	...	Senior Sergeant Brady
Roger Newcombe	...	Mr. Woolley
Adam Morgan	...	Curious Guard Bob
Chrissie Page	...	Magistrate Cowler
Wayne Anthony	...	Older Emcee
John Doherty	...	Frank Strickland
Rob MacPherson	...	Kat's Dad - Paul Rogers
Andrea Nicolas	...	Sharon (Newsreader)
Alex Hart	...	Daniel (Newsreader)
Klayton Stainer	...	Watermelon Thief
Nathan O'Keefe	...	Officer Tim
Nicholas Cawthorn	...	Bluegrass Band
Trevor Warner	...	Bluegrass Band
Karl Pink	...	Bluegrass Band
Robin Breugelmans	...	A Capella Group
Cameron du Rieu	...	A Capella Group
Kieran O'Dea	...	A Capella Group
Matthre Lykos	...	A Capella Group (as Matthew Lykos)
Checc Musolino	...	Chanting Vocalist (as Checc Mussolino)
Michael Moody	...	Chanting Vocalist
Dwight Adams	...	Chanting Vocalist
Daniel 'Doc' Richards	...	Chanting Vocalist
Chris Tseregounes	...	Chanting Vocalist
Oskar Pichler	...	Whistling Prisoner
Wayne Mattie	...	Inmate #1
Darren Dawe	...	Inmate #2
Colin Shearing	...	Government Agent
Tim Carter	...	Student DJ
Brendan Pearn	...	Cellist #1, Tommy's Imaginary Players
Briohny Campbell	...	Cellist #2, Tommy's Imaginary Players
Pippa Strickland	...	Bass Player, Tommy's Imaginary Players
Lindsay Heesom	...	Clarinet Player, Tommy's Imaginary Players
Carolyn Burgess-Johansson	...	Harpist, Tommy's Imaginary Players
Amanda Neubauer	...	Drums, Tommy's Imaginary Players
Talitha Best	...	Oboist, Tommy's Imaginary Players
P.J. Oaten	...	Drums, Tommy's Imaginary Players
Jason Thomas	...	Violinist #1, Tommy's Imaginary Players
Carolyn Lam	...	Violinist #2, Tommy's Imaginary Players
Madi Green	...	Violinist #3, Tommy's Imaginary Players
Robyn Tannhauser	...	Violinist #4, Tommy's Imaginary Players
Neil Thompson	...	Viola Player #1, Tommy's Imaginary Players
Karen Danardi	...	Viola Player #2, Tommy's Imaginary Players
Simon Varga	...	Timpani Player, Tommy's Imaginary Players
Stefan Ammer	...	Pianist, Tommy's Imaginary Players
Henri Phillips	...	Clumsy Percussionist, Student Band
Daniel Hartley	...	Student Cellist, Student Band
Suzie Wieszyk	...	Young Pianist, Student Band
Thomas Helps	...	Student Violinist #1, Student Band
Laura Wilkinson	...	Sudent Violinist #2, Student Band
Abdrew Simmons	...	Beat Boxer Prisoner (as Andrew Simmons)
Ray Smith	...	Anvil Basher Prisoner
Daniel Busch	...	Percussionist Prisoner
Jimmy Leiged	...	Percussionist Prisoner (as Jimmy Leigep)
Mark Cheway	...	Percussionist Prisoner
Mick Wordley	...	Col Legno Player Prisoner
Rob Riley	...	Col Legno Player Prisoner
Richard Tonkin	...	Col Legno Double Bass Prisoner
Lyelle Woodbury	...	Tired Inmate Prisoner
John Hamilton	...	Card Playing Inmate Prisoner
Terry Christou	...	Card Playing Inmate Prisoner
Michael Eglezos	...	Card Playing Inmate Prisoner
Lani John Tupu	...	Maestro Pindari (voice) (as Lani Tupu)
Jade Amantea	...	Robert
Lachlan Ward	...	Julian
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Phil Austin	...	Officer Dixon
Melissa Cropley	...	Tommy's Mother
Adrian Medhurst	...	Additional player
Jasmin Radibratovic	...	Kat's Friend
Rebekah Rimington	...	Stage Mother
Isabella Rositano	...	Herself - Member of Audience
Andrea Warren	...	Football Supporter
Matt Connelly	...	Extra - Corrections Officer (uncredited)

Directed by
Dagen Merrill

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Dagen Merrill		written by

Produced by
Sean Covel	....	executive producer (as Sean C. Covel)
Steve Keung	....	associate producer
Kieth Merrill	....	executive producer
Peter Rancie	....	executive producer
Julie Ryan	....	producer
Chris Wyatt	....	producer

Original Music by
Christopher Brady

Cinematography by
Nick Matthews		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Mike Saenz

Casting by
Angela Heesom

Production Design by
Robert Webb

Art Direction by
Tuesday Stone

Costume Design by
Marriott Kerr		(as Mariot Kerr)

Makeup Department
Marion Lee	....	hair stylist assistant
Marion Lee	....	makeup artist assistant
Cherie Morrisson	....	hair stylist assistant
Cherie Morrisson	....	makeup artist assistant
Michelle Morrisson	....	hair stylist
Michelle Morrisson	....	makeup artist
Tracy Reeby	....	hair stylist assistant (as Tracey Reeby)
Tracy Reeby	....	makeup artist assistant (as Tracey Reeby)
Suzie Warhurst-Steele	....	hair designer (as Suzie Wargurst)
Suzie Warhurst-Steele	....	makeup artist: Mr. Hutton (as Suzie Warhurst)
Suzie Warhurst-Steele	....	makeup designer (as Suzie Warhurst)

Production Management
Michael Gill	....	unit manager
James Hilton	....	additional production manager: Sydney
Scott McDonald	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Rick Beecroft	....	first assistant director
Shannon Crotty	....	additional assistant director
Travis Kalendra	....	second assistant director
Brad Lanyon	....	additional assistant director
Natasha Phillips	....	third assistant director

Art Department
Ben Crabtree	....	stand-by props
William Dim	....	buyer
William Dim	....	set dresser
Kylie Lawson	....	scenic artist
Obie O'Brien	....	buyer
Obie O'Brien	....	on-set dresser
Cassie Sibbin	....	props buyer
Daniel Vieceli	....	art department runner
Brad Maddern	....	art department assistant (uncredited)
James Mellor	....	art department assistant (uncredited)

Sound Department
Leon Anderson	....	adr recordist: Sydney
Leon Anderson	....	foley editor
Justin Astbury	....	adr recordist: Adelaide
Mike Bakaloff	....	boom operator
Adrian Bilinsky	....	sound effects editor
Ross Brewer	....	sound technical facilities coordinator
Nicholas Byrnes	....	sound effects editor (as Nick Burns)
James Currie	....	sound recordist
John Dennison	....	sound supervisor
Mary Dennison	....	sound facilities liaison: AudioLoc
Bruce Emery	....	dolby sound consultant
Russ Gorsline	....	adr recordist: Portland
Tom Heuzenroeder	....	audio playback operator
Dan Johnston	....	foley artist (as Daniel Johnston)
Dan Johnston	....	foley editor (as Daniel Johnston)
Terry Kelly	....	additional sound recordist: Sydney
Danny Longhurst	....	adr editor
Duncan McAllister	....	foley editor
Duncan McAllister	....	foley recordist
Simon Rosenberg	....	adr recordist: Melbourne
Brian C. Roth	....	adr recordist: Los Angeles (as Brian Roth)
Tony Vaccher	....	dialogue editor
Tony Vaccher	....	sound re-recording mixer
Tony Vaccher	....	sound supervisor

Visual Effects by
Tim Crosbie	....	visual effects supervisor: Rising Sun Pictures
Fred Chapman	....	visual effects: Rising Sun Pictures (uncredited)
James Furlong	....	matte painter: Rising Sun Pictures (uncredited)
Alex Meddick	....	visual effects editor (uncredited)
James P. Noon	....	tracking (uncredited)
Emily Probert	....	roto artist: Rising Sun Pictures (uncredited)
Prateep Siamwalla	....	tracking (uncredited)
Richard Thwaites	....	visual effects coordinator (uncredited)
James Whitlam	....	visual effects executive producer: Rising Sun Pictures (uncredited)
Xye	....	tracking (uncredited)

Stunts
Robbie Clissold	....	stunt double: Scott
Dean Gould	....	stunt double: Tommy
Amanda Graver	....	stunt double: Sharon
Reg Roordink	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Storm Ashwood	....	best boy electric
Nick Datsun	....	fourth electrician
Chris Davies	....	additional gaffer: Sydney
Chris Davies	....	additional grip: Sydney
Anny Duff	....	camera attachment
Dave Foreman	....	camera operator: "c" camera
David Gregan	....	fifth electrician (as Dave Gregan)
Geoff Hodge	....	jimmy jib operator
Peter Itsines	....	low loader driver
Marie-Pier Labelle	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
Bryan Mason	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Nick Matthews	....	camera operator: "a" camera
Leigh Nemeth	....	third electrician
Matt Nettheim	....	still photographer
Django Nou	....	additional assistant grip
Louis Puli	....	steadicam operator
Jem Rayner	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera
Richard Rees-Jones	....	gaffer
Malcolm Richards	....	camera accessories supplier: Cameraquip
Matthew Richardson	....	additional assistant grip (as Matt Richardson)
Viv Scanu	....	aerial cinematographer
Henry Smith	....	additional assistant camera
Mike Smith	....	key grip
Darcy Sullivan	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Lisa Tomasetti	....	additional still photographer: Sydney
Isaac Walgos	....	jimmy jib assistant
Ben Walsh	....	assistant grip
Brie Walsh	....	data wrangler
Jules Wurm	....	first assistant camera: "c" camera

Casting Department
Ruthmary Bond	....	extras casting
Angie Christophel	....	casting coordinator
Rebecca Waddingham	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Lauren Delnnocentis	....	stand-by costume attachment
Meredith Goyne	....	wardrobe assistant
Lachy Lang	....	costume assistant
Lachy Lang	....	costume buyer
Felice Mercorella	....	stand-by wardrobe

Editorial Department
Kate Crosser	....	post-production support
Nikki Freeman	....	post-production coordinator
Warren Lynch	....	colorist
David Scarborough	....	assistant editor
David Ngo	....	second editor (uncredited)
Leroy Wolf	....	color timer (uncredited)

Music Department
Christopher Brady	....	orchestrator
Elizabeth Finch	....	music preparation
Elizabeth Finch	....	orchestrator
David Frank Long	....	music preparation (as David Long)
David Frank Long	....	orchestrator (as David Long)
Damon Tedesco	....	music mixer
Damon Tedesco	....	music recordist
Samantha White	....	piano tutor

Transportation Department
Nigel Gladstone	....	driver
Phil Urquhart	....	driver

Other crew
Sarah Abbey	....	location manager
Damien Bear	....	epk
Jenny Bichard	....	safety report
Jenny Bichard	....	safety supervisor
Keith Bichard	....	safety office
Alan Braley	....	double: Tommy hands piano
Andrew Brown	....	unit assistant
Kevin Burke	....	story consultant
Hamish Burns	....	pilot
Chris Corin	....	assistant: Mr. Hutton
Tahlia De'Corso	....	double: Kat hands piano
Melissa Emmett	....	additional caterer: Balfours
Daniel Fletcher	....	production assistant: Sydney
Daniel Fletcher	....	unit assistant: Sydney
Andrew Frazer	....	runner
Tony Gibbs	....	insurance agent: HW Wood
Allan Gill	....	security: ACP Security
Nigel Gladstone	....	runner: Sydney
Philip Henderson-Wilson	....	unit assistant (as Phil Henderson-Wilson)
Kerry Hudson	....	assistant: Ms. Vega
Julia Jurevicius	....	accounts assistant
Colleen Kennedy-Gill	....	unit assistant (as Colleen Gill)
Mojgan Khadem	....	continuity
Mick Kildare	....	unit assistant
Mark Kraus	....	production accountant
Sarah Macdonald	....	location assistant
Steve Marcus	....	caterer: Broken Hill
Bryce Menzies	....	lawyer: Marshalls & Dent
Daenen Merrill	....	epk
Oliver Molesworth	....	double: Tommy mustering
Dante Nou	....	unit assistant
Django Nou	....	unit assistant
Rebecca Oliver	....	lawyer: Marshalls & Dent
Sharyn Pancione	....	production secretary
Angus Paterson	....	epk
Matt Pearson	....	location assistant
Chris Pike	....	unit assistant
Ian Robertson	....	catering assistant
Dominic Smith	....	production intern: Sydney
Hera Sparnon	....	runner
Corey Spiteri	....	runner
Damien Steele-Scott	....	double: Ricardo hands
Sylvia Warmer	....	location assistant
Bill Rude	....	title designer (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Audience Alliance Motion Picture Studios (AAMPS)
• Element 115 Productions

Distributors

• Audience Alliance Motion Picture Studios (AAMPS) (2009-2010) (USA) (all media)
• Entertainment One (2010-) (USA) (video)

Special Effects

• Rising Sun Pictures (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Audioloc Sound Design  sound design (as Audioloc)
• Audioloc Sound Design  sound post-production
• Audioloc Sound Design  sound post-production (as AudioLoc Sound Design)
• Australian Air Express  freight
• Balfours  additional catering
• Buzzy's Recording  adr recording facility: Los Angeles
• Cameraquip Australia  camera accessories (as Cameraquip)
• Complete Ute & Van  vehicles
• Director's Cut Adelaide  catering: Adelaide
• Europcar  vehicles
• Gourmet Express  additional catering
• HW Wood Australia  insurance (as HW Wood)
• Hellstar  helicopter
• HighDef Video Services  video services (as Hi Def Video Services)
• IC Films  post-production facility
• Marshalls & Dent  lawyers
• Rex Post  ADR
• RexPost  adr recording facility: Portland
• Sonya & Fiona  catering: Adelaide
• Soundfirm Melbourne  adr recording facility: Melbourne
• Tracks Adelaide  adr recording facility: Adelaide

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements and some language

Country:

USA | Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG (certificate #45568)

Filming Locations:

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Company:

Audience Alliance Motion Picture Studios (AAMPS)

Quotes:

Kat Rogers:I hate classical music.
Tommy McAlpine:I love classical music.
Kat Rogers:Yeah, well, I'd rather be run over by a truck.
Tommy McAlpine:I've got a truck.

I liked it

I liked this film. It was a bit slow and I would have liked to have seen more musical progress at the jail house .. but I can understand that they wanted you to wait until the end to see how it turned out. I like that it is Australia-based. Definitely better than the other movies I have seen this summer. I went with my boyfriend for my birthday. I was concerned that he would not like it. But he said that he liked it. THere were a few cute lines in the movie referencing the trouble men get in on account of women. Most of the other movie goers were quite old in the movie. There is no sex or violence at all. It is a safe movie for a first date or family event. No one will be offended by the movie. Also, no annoying political undertones.