The Wilding
2012 Australian film
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The Wilding is a 2012 Australian gay drama film written and directed by Grant Scicluna[1][2] and funded through Springboard, an initiative of Screen Australia.[3] The film stars Reef Ireland, Shannon Glowacki, Luke Mullins and Frank Sweet and had its world premiere in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival on 9 February 2012[4] and was nominated for the Teddy Award.[5]
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Shannon Glowacki
Luke Mullins
Frank Sweet
| The Wilding | |
|---|---|
| |
| Directed by | Grant Scicluna |
| Written by | Grant Scicluna |
| Produced by | Jannine Barnes |
| Starring | Reef Ireland Shannon Glowacki Luke Mullins Frank Sweet |
| Cinematography | Franc Biffone |
| Edited by | Anthony Cox |
| Music by | Alison Cole Dave Smith |
Production company | Happening Films |
Release dates | |
Running time | 16 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
The film competed at number of film festivals including Sydney Film Festival,[6] Show Me Shorts,[7] Melbourne Queer Film Festival,[8] Palm Springs International Film Festival[9] and St Kilda Film Festival[10] and earned good reviews before winning the prestigious Iris Prize in 2012.[11][12]
Premise
Malcolm, a hardened borstal inmate, is in love with his cellmate Tye. As Malcolm faces an opportunity for parole, a feud with other inmates escalates, with Tye being targeted as Malcolm's weak spot. Malcolm is forced to choose between his own freedom and protecting the one he loves.
Cast
- Reef Ireland as Malcolm
- Luke Mullins as Adam
- Frank Sweet as Gavin
- Shannon Glowacki as Tye
- Richard Anastasios as Simmo
- Lachlan Ward as Bosey
Reception
Critical response
The film received mainly positive reviews with Adrian Naik of big gay picture show praising Scicluna's direction and said "This is raw Australian filmmaking at its best. Combining the visceral brutality of Romper Stomper and the gritty terror of Chopper, The Wilding holds its own against films of this caliber, while still shocking those numb to their effects."[13]
Accolades
| Year | Festival | Award | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Iris Prize | The Iris Prize for Best Short Film | Grant Scicluna | Won[14] |
| Madrid Lesbian, Gay and Transsexual Film Festival | Best Short Film | Grant Scicluna | Won[15] | |
| St Kilda Film Festival | SBS Television Award | Grant Scicluna | Won[16] | |
| Melbourne Queer Film Festival | Winner City of Melbourne Emerging Filmmaker | Grant Scicluna | Won[17] | |
| Best Australian Short Film | Grant Scicluna | Won[18] | ||
| Australian Screen Editors | Best Editing in a Short Film | Anthony Cox | Won[19] | |
| Show Me Shorts | Best International Short Film | Grant Scicluna & Jannine Barnes | Won | |
| Australian Writers Guild[20] | Best Short Film | Grant Scicluna | Nominated | |
| Berlin International Film Festival[21][22] | Teddy Award | Grant Scicluna | Nominated | |
| Crystal Bear | Grant Scicluna | Nominated | ||
| Sydney Film Festival[23] | Best Australian Short Film | Grant Scicluna | Nominated | |
| 2013 | Queer Screen Mardi Gras Film Festival | Queer Perspective Award | Grant Scicluna & Jannine Barnes | Won[24] |
Filming locations
Feature film
In 2014 Screen Australia and Film Victoria announced investment in a feature film based on the short film, titled Downriver[26][27] and will feature Ireland in the lead role.[28]