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 & 5 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:

female nudity | journalist | prodigal son | whodunit | bath | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

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

Celia Steimer: Mum wanted to sing like this?
Paul Prior: Your mother wanted to be Patti Smith.

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Alternate Versions

To secure a "15" certificate UK versions are cut by 1 min 56 secs and remove a bedroom scene in which Paul asks a woman to sexually asphyxiate him with the belt of his trousers.

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Connections

Referenced in The Making of 'Lou' (2011)

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Soundtracks

Hoki Mai Ano
Written and performed by Tony Waerea

User Reviews

I've just seen the film of the year.

Alright, I admit family dramas with long hidden secrets are my favourites, but this has to be one of the best.

I was utterly compelled by the story, I can't remember the last time I was so emotionally engrossed. I was with Paul every step of the way. I have to see it again because I was so caught up I only noticed peripherally that the music,

cinematography and design were all delivering the perfect cinematic

experience.

As for the performances, the actors just disappeared, I was watching Paul and Celia and Jax living their lives. I felt more voyeuristic than Jonathon, as if I was witnessing private moments. What a wonderful film.

Details

Official Sites:

Icon Films NZonScreen listing

Country:

New Zealand UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 2004 (New Zealand)

Also Known As:

I sanningens spår

Filming Locations:

Taeri Gorge Railway, Otago, New Zealand

Box Office

Budget:

NZD7,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,627,788

Company Credits

Production Co:

Element X, IFMD Ltd., Little Bird Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1