Bran Nue Day.

Interview with Jessica Mauboy, Dan Sultan & Rocky McKenzie.

Bran Nue Dae, based on the play of the same name, tells of a young man (Rocky McKenzie) who is filled with the life of the tranquil old pearling port Broome - fishing, hanging out with his mates and his girl. However his mother returns him to the religious mission for further schooling. After being punished for an act of youthful rebellion, he runs away from the mission on a journey that ultimately leads him back home.

TOM caught up with newcomer McKenzie, as well as musicians cum actors Jessica Mauboy and Dan Sultan, to discuss the effervescent new movie musical.  

TOM: Now, I was supposed to be at Broome for the Premiere...

Jessica Mauboy: Yeah, I noticed you weren’t there.

TOM: Hey, thems the breaks! What did I miss? How was it?

Jessica: Oh, it was great! The whole town was there  -  they were all really excited!

TOM: They would be, because the entire movie was filmed there, right?

Dan Sultan: Most of it. But we did shoot some stuff in Perth.

TOM: How did you guys get involved in the film?

Rocky McKenzie:I got into it through school.

TOM: But I heard you weren’t so much into acting, as you were football?

Rocky: Yeah, I was at the football academy. And that’s where I found out about the movie. The producer, director and choreographer came in and wanted to meet some of the guys. Me and about 30 other kids tested for the role. I got a call back and did numerous auditions. I ended up getting the part.

TOM: And I imagine you’re now the talking of the town?

Rocky: [smiling] Yeah.

Jessica: Rocky! Rockkky! Rockkky! Look over here! [Laughs]

TOM: And what about you Jess, how did you end up in the film? Audition process?

Jessica: I knew the director, Rachel Perkins  -  we’d met at The Deadlys. And she asked me to come in and audition. I wasn’t really confident about it. I said ’are you sure? I’ve never done anything like this before’. But she insisted, and I thought I’d give it a shot.  And hey, the film sounded fun  -  I’d get to act, sing...and dance!

TOM: How many weeks beforehand were you rehearsing?

Dan: It took some time. But it was more just going through the script, working out with Rachel what worked and what doesn’t, more so than rehearsing.

TOM: How was it rehearsing, and working with, industry greats like Geoffrey Rush and Ernie Dingo?

Dan: Oh, it was cool. They were just so supportive.

Jessica: Yeah, they really were.

Dan: They spent a lot of time with us. There were bugger-all egos  -  I don’t know whether it would’ve been any different working in another city with some of these guys, but I doubt it. Everyone just checked their egos at the door. They didn’t even check ‘em, they just forget ‘em.  

TOM: Did you feel the pressure though  -  knowing you’d be sharing the screen with Oscar Winner Geoffrey Rush?

Jessica: Initially yeah...

Dan: But then you realize the most important thing is just to do a good job, and not to think about that. No need to stress.  I just found myself trying to take as much in as I could, and learn from [Geoffrey and the other notable cast members] as much as possible.  It’s like any job, it’s good to have mentors and more experienced people around, but at the same time your main goal is to make sure you do the best job possible.

TOM: Were you all familiar with the play?

Dan: Not really.

Jessica: I wasn’t either. I’d heard of it, but I didn’t know much about it  -  didn’t even know it was set in Broome.

Rocky: I didn’t know it, but my olds knew it.

TOM: Musicals are all the rage again, right now. Are you fans of the genre?

Jessica: Yeah, I am, definitely. I grew up with them  -  The Sound of Music...

TOM: Have you got the bug for acting now?

Jessica: Yeah, I wouldn’t mind doing something else. But my immediate concern is working on my new album.

TOM: And you Dan?

Dan: I don’t know, man. I’ve been thinking lately, sometimes I wish I didn’t do this job. I sometimes wish I could just have a normal nine-to-five job where I could just clock in and clock out, and be done with it. I’m always on the road with this job  -  I never see my family, can’t hold down a relationship...it screws up your life. But, we can’t help what we’re passionate about can we?

TOM: Happy Feet 2 is coming up  -  surely there are roles that need filling in that?  I’m sure Magda Szubanski (who has a cameo in Bran Nue Dae) will be in it. She can get you in the door!

Jessica: Yeah, I bet she will be  -  she was in the first one.

Dan: Magda is great. I wish I could’ve spent more time with her. She wasn’t on the film for long. I talked to her at a party though.

TOM: Speaking of partying, what was it like down in Broome? Did you guys hit the pub at night?

Dan: Not really  -  if only because we didn’t want anything to happen to Jessica or Missy [Higgins]. Wasn’t so much worried about myself. But it’s mostly blokes in there, and they get a bit rowdy, so we tended to stay away.

Bran Nue Day is in cinemas now.

By Clint Morris

ENDS