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

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:

Alexandra, Otago, New Zealand

Box Office

Budget:

NZD 7,000,000 (estimated)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The only feature film directed by Brad McGann.

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Quotes

Paul Prior: I couldn't get near her... You made sure of it. It was a happy little threesome - Andy, Mum and God. No-one else invited.

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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 Lou: Interviews (2011)

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Soundtracks

Massacre Mics
Written by B. Urale
Performed by King Kapisi

User Reviews

The plot is not as dull as it sounds.... it is a fantastic movie!

When his father dies, Paul Prior (Matthew Macfadyen), a disillusioned and battle weary war photographer, decides to return home to New Zealand. His brother is caught off-guard by Paul's sudden re appearance after seventeen years away. Reluctantly re-visiting the dilapidated family property, he discovers his fathers old den tucked away in the equipment shed. Paul sets about clearing up and stumbles upon sixteen year-old Celia (Emily Barclay) who has been using the derelict hide-away as a private haven to write her stories and to fuel her dream of living in Europe, far away from the small town she longs to escape.

This seemingly uninteresting story-line masks a superb plot that slowly unfolds as the movie progresses. The characters are fantastic and the performances of Barclay, MacFadyen and the supporting cast is excellent. The subtle twists are very well hidden and the final explanation of the whole scenario is mind-blowing. In my opinion, this is a must see movie!