ERSKINEVILLE KINGS

Australia, 1999, 82 minutes, Colour.
Martin Dennis, Hugh Jackman, Andrew Wholley, Aaron Blabey, Joel Edgerton, Leah Vandenberg.
Directed by Alan White.

Erskineville Kings is a slice of Sydney life, action taking place over one day. It shows a young man returning home from the Queensland canefields after two years, his having left home because of his abusive father. His father is now dead.

The central character, Barkey, is played by Martin Dennis, actor and playwright who has adapted his play for the screen.

The film is also an early screen opportunity for Hugh Jackman who was famous on stage but was to move into films and onto the international screen. Joel Edgerton also has a supporting role but it was to take some time for him to emerge as an international star and film director.

The film captures the atmosphere of the Sydney suburb of Erskineville, the streets, homes, shops, pubs…

Is also strong on the interactions between the two brothers, the older brother, Hugh Jackman, resentful of his younger brother walking out on the family. There is also his former girlfriend and the question of whether they can rekindle their relationship.

Small budget but effective independent filmmaking.

1. A slice of Sydney life? The 1990s in the 20th century?

2. Sydney, the status of Erskineville, the streets, flats, the pub? Restaurant? The musical score?

3. Martin Dennis as writer, actor, reworking his stage play? His perspective on the characters and situations?

4. Action taking place over one day?

5. Barkey, his arrival at Central Station, trying to get to Erskineville, the ticket seller? The train, arriving in the suburb, seeing the house for sale, Wayne and the video shop, their friendship, talking, Wayne inviting him to stay with him? His looking to his brother? Going to the house of Copper, meeting Wace, their meeting Aaron and his course remarks? Writing for the funeral?

6. Barkey, his life, the flashbacks to his father, drinking, the belt brutality? Harsh memories? His memories of his mother, her leaving? The clashes with Wace? Leaving home, leaving Lanny and his love for her? Coming back to the funeral, reacquainted with his friends, memories of the canefields, away for two years?

7. Hugh Jackman as Wace, the older brother, his story, still alone, yet with his friends? His bad memories of his mother? Standing for his father? Urging Barkey to face the world as real? His stances against his brother? His friendship with Copper, Copper driving, helping him with his father’s death? Playing pool and the pub, the taunts, drinking, and, standing up for his father, caring for him, his death? The strong character?

8. Friends, hospitality and support? Trying to control Wace? Aaron, his blindness and Bob Garrity? Wayne and his world?

9. Lanny, family, her life, studying, the talk with Barkey, the meeting at the restaurant, arriving at the end?

10. Slice of life, family drama, antagonisms – and possibilities for reconciliation?