Burke & Wills: Interview

Interview with Oliver Torr
Director/writer/actor of Burke & Wills.

William Barker: Hello, how are you?

Oliver Torr: Very well thanks.

Barker: When most people think "Burke and Wills", they think Australian explorers. Did the naming for your film have any connection with the famous explorers?

Oliver: Not massively. More just the evocative nature of their names seemed to fit with the film and its trajectory.

Barker: Have you had any history buffs turn up to the advance screenings?

Oliver: They have actually. At ACMI [Melbourne] one woman said she came to see the film expecting a historical piece, which she didn't get, but was glad she saw it nonetheless. Which is a great reaction if you ask me.

Barker: Tell us about the kind of assistance you had in making this film. Clearly you had a vision - what sort of help did you get to realise this?

Oliver: None from any funding bodies if that's what you're asking. We made this entirely off our own backs. Which despite the limitations enabled us to make a film we would like to see.

Barker: The Australian film industry has been criticised in the past for making 'friendly' and conforming films, but with no spine. You say you had no external investment from government or private interests, so did this allow you more control over the final product?

Oliver: Definitely. We wanted to improvise the entire thing and we did. I doubt something like that would be possible for first time filmmakers in any other circumstances.

Barker: Billed as a dark drama, I actually found the film quite endearing and at times rather funny. Was this part of the script, the light hearted dialogue?

Oliver: For sure. No point making a film that only plays one note. That's what we aimed for with this. Laugh, cry, hurl. Words of wisdom. Maybe.

Barker: After I left the ACMI Melbourne launch, I found myself pondering over the character's motivations. Wills is a bit of a dreamer, while Burke is a far more complex character. Did some of the idiosyncrasies and mannerisms we see on the screen emerge from both your and (co-writer/director/actor) Matt Zeremes own lives?

Oliver: I guess so. We both have experienced many ups and downs as most people generally do in life, we just tried to incorporate as much of the interesting bits of life into this film.

Barker: I've heard some publications compare your film with Jim Jarmusch's early work. Your thoughts?

Oliver: Having only seen a few of his films I like the compliment. I think it has more to do with him being one of the few recognisable directors that shoots in black and white. As we did. But he is not really a big influence.

Barker: The twist in the tale that makes you stop and take notice in Burke and Wills was quite abrupt - was this an attempt to shock the audience, or to provoke a completely different type of emotion?

Oliver: No, not at all, it was because we tried to capture that point when suddenly life completely changes. It happens to most people, then as an individual we have to decide whether to sink or swim. It's about making a choice that is hopefully the right one.

Barker: Burke and Wills was screened at Robert De Niro's Tribeca Film Festival in New York. What were your thoughts of the American film industry compared to our smaller, local scene?

Oliver: Well everyone there was way friendlier for starters. No one wants to appear arrogant. I suppose because the U.S. has a more mature film industry that ostensibly leads the world, we could see how much more serious it is treated there. If your film doesn't get bums on seats you're out. If you make a shitty film, good luck getting another one up. If you are rude to someone they will remember. So everyone is exceedingly nice. It's different to here.

Barker: Do you moisturise?

Oliver: Very regularly [laughs]. The problem I have is the gusty weather we get in April, May. My tip is to always walk with the wind, so it doesn't blow directly onto fragile, soft facial skin. Nothing worse than cracked, bleeding, fly ridden sores all over ones face. Its not worth the aggravation.

Barker: Burke and Wills is getting plenty of critical acclaim - are there plans to launch the film beyond NSW?

Oliver: Yes, the film will be seen in Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and Melbourne and Brisbane (TBC). But should be around May. We'll keep you posted.

Barker: I understand you have another feature in the works with your partner in crime, Matt Zeremes (who plays Wills in the film). What's the name of the new flick and what's it about?

Oliver: We have a script called Parasite. It's about one night that goes all over the city, kind of like Mike Leigh's Naked mixed with Swingers and Head On.

Barker: Will there be a car chase scene in it?

Oliver: Not sure. We were hoping to rent the highway that the producers of The Matrix made near San Francisco, except they currently don't accept used bus tickets as legal tender.

Barker: Our research indicates you have made another film in the mid '90s called Bastard Squad. Can you confirm this? Was this film ever released and what's it about?

Oliver: I have no comment. It was crap. Not in an ironic post-post modern way. Just crap. I was 17 I think. Can we move on?

Barker: Yes. Um, what are some good movies you've seen lately that you'd recommend to our readers? 300 has just broken all sorts of Australian box office records - have you seen it?

Oliver: Yes, I unfortunately have. I was amazed that the director of the brilliant remake of Dawn of the Dead managed to make such a shocker of a film. It was like a beer commercial trying to sell dog food. Something just felt wrong.

Barker: What's your favourite cuisine?

Oliver: Dog food.

Barker: Finally, how do you see the Australian film industry evolving - or will it ever evolve? As a someone whose had to put plenty of blood, sweat, and tears into getting a production off the ground and recognised, do you envisage this will be the way of all 'break-out' filmmakers?

Oliver: Really don't know. Everyone always says there needs to be more money. I'm not sure I agree with that. What seems to work in France is that a quota of French made film must be shown in cinemas. Same was happening in Korea, although apparently that is about to finish due to free trade agreements. I think that would be the cheapest and easiest way to get more local film made and put out there. But I don't think it would happen. I think the free trade agreements we have would prevent that. But I know of loads of people getting their own features up now. So you never know...

Barker: Thanks for your time. Good luck with your second feature.

Oliver: Thanks [laughs]. I thought I'd never be done here. My double macchiato decaf is completely cold now and my lips are crying out for blistex...

Burke & Wills commences April 12 in Australia (limited national release starting Chauvel cinema, Sydney)