The Bastard from the Bush: An Australian Life
Page 38
I went home with this idea swimming in my head. I had to try to put it to one side and concentrate on editing StalkHer. Coming from an acting background and producing Savages Crossing had made me very familiar with pre-production and production, but post-production wasn’t so familiar and editing was my largest learning curve.
We ended up using three editors. Bernadette got appendicitis after a few weeks, Matt’s time was limited and we finished with Jeff. I learnt a lot and gave the experts plenty of room. I picked it up quickly enough to know whether the drama had been captured properly, and where we needed pace, pauses, drama or comedy. The editors were much, much more technically adept and had a great creative touch and a sense of what the film was about. I had the edge on what worked dramatically and what the audience needed to know, or not know.
My other saving was Kris. Remember when I wrote ‘The bitch knows how to write’? Well, the bitch knows how to edit and the bitch has an excellent ear for music, so she knew how to direct the composers. We worked very well together; the woman is amazing. OzPix needs to be successful because Australian film desperately needs Kris Maric.
StalkHer was approaching completion and we needed to get our next production off the ground. The way I write is that I wait until I’ve worked out the entire script in my head and then I write it. The idea for Who Cares, Sal? came very quickly. Sal is a Down syndrome man, very independent. He has a job in a sports store and represents Australia in martial arts at the Special Olympics. His mother is dying of lung cancer and he’s got no one else, so he has to find his father, a rock ’n’ roller his mother had a one-night stand with in 1983. That’s all I’m saying, I don’t want to ruin it for you.
I knew who I wanted to play the lead. Gerard O’Dwyer is a thirty-year-old professional actor with Down syndrome. In 2009 he won Best Actor at Tropfest: ‘I got three thousand dollars from Nicole Kidman!’ Gerard is perfect.
I’ve always been attracted to Down syndrome people. When I went to Nanna’s in the sixties we used to play with Reg. He was about six years older but he was a tonne of fun. Down syndrome people are far more emotionally intelligent than so-called ‘normal’ people, and their ability to love and deeply care for others is far more advanced. They know how to live, they know how to give and expect nothing back. They’re witty, funny, they know how to laugh and they’re not afraid to cry. They pride themselves on being individuals trying to make a positive difference to this world. You want the world to be at peace? They’ll teach you: they don’t like hurting people and they’re always nice. If I found out I was going to have a Down syndrome child, I would consider it a blessing. I would be excited by it. Google ‘Down syndrome restaurant owner’ to find Tim Harris’s YouTube video. It ends, ‘We are a gift to the world.’ You couldn’t have said it better, Tim.
That’s it
That’s it, that’s where I’m at. I’ve been writing this book for six months. It’s been very cathartic and I’ve learnt a lot about myself. It was bloody hard work but it was worth it.
On the horizon, I’ll be playing Lang Hancock in Blue Dog, the prequel to Red Dog. The cinema release of StalkHer is scheduled for August 2015. I’ll be playing a pig-shooter hero in Boar, about a pig the size of a rhino, as well as filming a six-part Wolf Creek TV series. We’re hoping to film Who Cares, Sal? in early 2016.
My love for Rosa grows every day. I’ve never been happier in my life. I look forward to living a long, constructive, positive, uplifting rest of my life. I try to look to where I’m going, not to where I’ve been. That’s why I’m thankful that this book has forced me to look where I’ve come from, because my movement forward has been considerably enhanced by it. I get up every morning to do the best I can for the day, to try do the right thing and to do it with love, then I thank the God of my understanding for getting me through that day. That is my formula for growth. If I stop, I’m in danger; if I get there, I’m not really there, I’m deluded.
My wonderful family is rolling along nicely in 2015. Riley, twelve, is becoming an amazing guitarist. He’s also taken up the French horn, of all things, and his fine art is something to behold.
Jackson, fourteen, has won a writing scholarship that comes with a MacBook Pro laptop. He’s writing an action adventure book called Catman, which he’s hoping to turn into a film one day. His latest report card from school was exceptional.
William, twenty-one, is the lead singer of a successful band called Storm the Sky: check out the clip ‘Only One’. It’s sensational and not just because I’m in it. He also acts, plays guitar, dabbles in modelling for a quid and still plays soccer.
Charlie, twenty-seven, is into everything. His singing is cool, and so is his act. He does podcasting and he’s working on his stand-up. His pro name is Charlie Royal. He’s also building websites and consults on business growth.
Ebony, twenty-nine, runs the admin at Daniel’s firm. She’s also doing uni by correspondence, concentrating on writing. Can she write!
Zadia, thirty-seven, is working on film production and she’s also my PA. She’s carving out a career behind the camera and I’m trying to get her in front of one.
In March 2015 I lost my Uncle Arthur. My parents and all my uncles and aunties have passed, except for Mum’s little sister Joan, seventy-four, and her big brother Charlie, ninety-two. My Uncle Charlie was living in trying circumstances and we were afraid it would shorten his life somewhat. At Uncle Arthur’s funeral, the Cole family were standing in a semicircle at the wake: cousins Steve, Lauren, Larry, Deb, Trish (Charlie’s daughter) and me. We were talking about ways of kidnapping Uncle Charlie, who was sitting in front of us looking over Lake Illawarra, surrounded by the young women of the family. Steve and I were talking lawyers and Auntie Joan said, ‘Bugger that, I’m going around to my big brother’s and I’ll kidnap him!’
We all scoffed, ‘You can’t do that, Joan.’ The next morning my 4 foot 11 auntie stormed into Charlie’s house and kidnapped him! Well, not exactly – he agreed to go and live with his daughter and he was mightily relieved. Let’s just say the Tiny Dynamo took decisive action and my uncle is now much happier and healthier. But as far as our family folklore is concerned, Joan kidnapped Charlie.
From the old to the new. On 18 March 2015 my second grandchild, Phoenix, arrived, a magical cherub. He is so perfect. Such a pretty boy, beautiful like his effervescent big sister, Jasmine. Rosa and I went out to the Alice to be with Ebony’s family and to meet our grandson. Newborns seem to float in the spiritual fluid that they’ve recently come from. They seem to arrive in this world when they first smile. I think that’s why we are so moved by it. When we say, ‘Look, look, he’s smiling, he’s smiling!’ I think we’re also saying, ‘He’s arriving, he’s arriving!’ Phoenix has arrived and this book is finished. Hooray!
Acknowledgements
I was in two minds about whether to write this book, for many, many reasons. I don’t like to hurt people, I never wish to hurt people and if I do, it’s unintentional and I’ve made a mistake. If you know me personally and you’re mentioned by name in this book, it’s because I like you and most probably love you. If you’re not mentioned and you know I like you, it’s because I could only fit so much of my sixty-two years into the book. I apologise for not mentioning all of my friends. I’m a lucky man, I have many friends and I treasure all of them. If you’re not mentioned and I don’t like you, that’s why.
I want to apologise to Noni. If I knew then what I’ve since discovered, I wouldn’t have put Noni through the turmoil of our relationship. Noni is an astounding woman. She’s been described as a national treasure. Our greatest achievement together is our children; her greatest achievement to me is her dedication to our children and the wealth of love she continuously showers on them. I’m truly blessed to have known her and share part of my life with her.
Gary, a close personal friend, a great supporter of Jackson and Riley, and a brother, knows why he isn’t mentioned very much in this book. Gary, I thank you for sticking by
me, holding me up in the darkness and pulling me out of holes. You stood me up, gave me a concrete pill and joined me in crying out, ‘Is that all you’ve got? Is that your best shot?’ Thank you for staying on top of things and organising the boring, mundane bullshit of everyday life and keeping me organised. But most importantly, thanks for looking out for the boys, loving them, caring for them and being a second dad when I couldn’t be there. Especially the time when you really didn’t want to and put your wants second to what my children needed. You put my kids above yourself and for that I am eternally grateful. You’re a great father, grandfather and friend to so many lucky people. Lots of love to you, mate.
My mum: ‘I don’t understand. Why can’t people just be nice to each other? It’s easier.’ The nicest person I’ve ever known.
My dad: ‘Expect nothing from anybody and you’ll never be disappointed.’ The most giving person I’ve ever known.
My son Riley, eleven, really upset when he heard about the Bali executions: ‘Nobody should be allowed to kill anybody, even if you’re the president.’ The wisest kid I’ve ever known. Riley for president!
My sponsor: ‘It’s your temper, why would you want to lose it?’ The best advice I ever got.
I hope you enjoyed the read.
Filmography
Film
2015
Blue Dog
Lang Hancock
Dir: Kriv Stenders
Once Upon a Time in the South West (Short)
Joe
Dir: Mike Hoath
2014
StalkHer
Jack
2013
The King is Dead (Short)
Elvis Presley
Dir: Curtis Hill
Wolf Creek 2
Mick Taylor
Dir: Greg McLean
2012
Django Unchained
Aussie Floyd
Dir: Quentin Tarantino
100 Bloody Acres
Sergeant Burke
Dir: Colin & Cameron Cairnes
2011
Shiver
Franklin Rood
Dir: Julian Richards
2010
Bad Behaviour
Rick
Dir: Joseph Stephen Sims
2008
Savages Crossing
Phil
Dir: Kevin Dobbs
2007
Australia
The Sergeant
Dir: Baz Luhrmann
2006
The Final Winter
Colgate
Dir: Jane Forrest
2005
Rogue
Russell
Dir: Greg McLean
2004
Wolf Creek
Mick Taylor
Dir: Greg McLean
1996
Dead Heart
Charlie
Dir: Nicholas Parsons
1995
All Men Are Liars
Barry
Dir: Gerard Lee
1987
Australian Dream
Todd
Dark Ages
Steve Harris
1983
The Settlement
Martin
1982
Fluteman
Fluteman
Next of Kin
Dandy
We of the Never Never
Dandy
Dir: Igor Auzins
1980
The Last Outlaw
Ned Kelly
1979
The Odd Angry Shot
Bill
Dir: Tom Jeffrey
1978
The Sound of Love
Dave
Blue Fin
Sam Snell
Little Boy Lost
Vic Tanner
The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith
Michaels
Summer City (aka The Coast of Terror)
Sandy
1975
Picnic at Hanging Rock
Albert Crundall
Dir: Peter Weir
The Great McCarthy
McCarthy
Television
2013
Jack Irish lll: Dead Point
Senior Sergeant Laurie Olsen
Dir: Jeffrey Walker
2010
Review With Myles Barlow
Attacker
2001–04
McLeod’s Daughters
Terry Dodge (semi-regular)
1999
All Star Squares
Panelist
1996
Better Homes and Gardens
Regular (played himself)
1995
Blue Murder
Jack Richardson
1993
Joh’s Jury
Juror
Dir: Ken Cameron
1991
Pirates Island
The Jackel
1987
Fields of Fire
Jacko
Dir: Rob Marchand
1985
Palace of Dreams
1983
Chase Through the Night
Clurry
1980
The Last Outlaw
Ned Kelly
Theatre
2011
The Sum of Us
Harry Mitchell
Dir: Denis Moore
1993
Aftershocks
Dir: Neil Armfield
1991
Diving for Pearls
Dir: Neil Armfield
A Streetcar Named Desire
Queensland Theatre Co
A Sentimental Bloke
Melbourne Theatre Co
Dead Heart
NIDA
Obsessive Behaviour in Small Places
Old Tote Theatre Co
Season at Sasparilla
Old Tote Theatre Co
The Owl and the Pussycat
Old Tote Theatre Co
Wongawilli. Our house is the highest on the hill
Uncle Arthur fixing planes, WWII
Nanna and Pop. Not happy in 1956
Mum. 1940s showgirl
Mum. Bathing beauty
Me, beautiful Mum and Brian, 1956
Brian, Nanna and me, 1956
Love this. Dad and his boys, Kiama, 1956
Me and Brian, 1957
Brian and me with wedge-tailed eagle
Watching TV for the very first time, 1957
Bruce and pawpaw boobs, 1957
Bruce the bloke, 1959
Big Daddy at work, 1960
Scouts on skis, 1962
The dam we built in Island Bend, 1963
School holidays at Bermagui, 1964
Me girling up at Aramac, 1968
The fit Jarratt boys – me, Barry, Brian – Townsville, 1970
Brian and me building our 1200 Indian, Epping, 1971
Me and Rosa, wedding bells, 1973
John loves Rosa, 1980
Zadia, Rosa and me, The Last Outlaw, 1980
Me and Zadia, Fluteman, 1982
Ebony and me, 1987
Rubin, Colleen, John and Nial, 20-year school reunion, 1990
Me with Charlie (top) and Will, Christmas morning, 1995
Charlie and Will, 2006
Zadia, 2010
Jackson and Riley, 2010
Georgie, one of my favourite people
Me and my tribe, 2013
Me with Jazzie in a soulful moment, 2013
My two big boys. We’re all the same height. Django Unchained premiere, 2013
Zadia and Cobi, bohemians, 2014
Zadia and Ebony, sister moment, 2014
My Italian wild woman, 2014
Jasmine, Daniel, Ebony and my brand new grandson Phoenix, 2015
The old and the new. My beautiful grandson, Phoenix, 2015
Will’s rock clip, 2015
My favourite photo of us. God, I’m lucky
NIDA, 1971. How theatrical
Picnic at Hangin
g Rock, 1974
NIDA, 1971. Look Ma, I’m really acting!
Blue Fin with Storm Boy star Greg Rowe, 1978
The Odd Angry Shot, 1978
As Ned Kelly in The Last Outlaw, 1980
The Kelly Gang: Lewis Fitzgerald, Ric Herbert, John Ley and me
With Donald Blitner, my spiritual mentor, We of the Never Never, 1981