Romper Stomper
Short description
Romper Stomper is set in Melbourne, where a gang of neo-Nazi skinheads led by Hando terrorises the local Vietnamese community, whom they see as a threat to racial purity in Australia. The group's violence extends to immigrants and to wealthy homes, and tensions build until the Vietnamese decide to fight back rather than live in fear. Into this world comes Gabe, a young woman who has fled her affluent family and who suffers from epilepsy; she becomes involved with the gang and with Davey, one of its members, complicating the group's dynamics as pressure mounts.
The film was directed and written by Geoffrey Wright, who also produced it with Ian Pringle and Daniel Scharf. It was Wright's first feature, followed years later by Cherry Falls. Russell Crowe plays Hando, with Daniel Pollock as Davey, Jacqueline McKenzie as Gabe, Alex Scott as Martin, Leigh Russell as Sonny Jim and Dan Wyllie as Cackles. The credited cast runs to 33.
Made for about 2 million US dollars, the film took roughly 3 million worldwide, a modest return on its budget. On IMDb it holds 6.8 out of 10 across some 43,000 votes, while on TMDB it sits at 6.5 from around 591 votes. A critics' rating of 7 out of 10 from 27 reviews places it above the audience scores recorded on both sites.
What's left behind the scenes
- Even at the scriptwriting stage, the lead role was intended for Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn. However, when he shaved his head, it turned out that he didn't look threatening. Upon learning this, Russell Crowe also shaved his head and convinced director Jeffrey Wright to reconsider his decision. Ultimately, the role went to Crowe.
- The character of Hando was written specifically for Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn, however, even after shaving his head, he couldn’t manage to look menacing. Russell Crowe shaved his head, got into the role, and began regularly bothering director and screenwriter Jeffrey Wright with requests to give him the part. Ultimately, Wright became convinced that Mendelsohn was not suitable for the role and gave the part to Crowe.
- Daniel Pollock, who played Davey in the film, committed suicide before the film's release.
- Curtis Hanson cast Russell Crowe as Bud White in the dramatic thriller 'L.A. Confidential' (1997), having seen him in the role of Hando.
- The opening scene at 'Footscray' station was actually filmed at 'Richmond' station. 'Footscray' station does not have an underground passage.
- Daniel Pollock, who played Davey, committed suicide before the film was released.
- Russell and several other actors, who decided to take a walk through Melbourne one day in their skinhead outfits, were arrested.
- The six-week shoot took place in Melbourne.
- While breaking a glass display case in the shopping mall, Daniel Pollock, who played Davey, seriously cut himself.
- To save money, the film was shot over six weeks on 'Super 16' film stock.
- To save money, the film was shot not on 35mm film, but on 16mm film. The shooting period lasted only 6 weeks.
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
