# Mad Bastards

Mad Bastards is a 2011 Australian drama film written and directed by Brendan Fletcher. Set in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, the film uses mainly local Aboriginal people in the cast, and draws on their stories for the plotline. It is Fletcher's debut film and it premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

## Plot

Years ago, TJ abandoned his wife and son, and as time passes his conscience tells him it is time to face up to his responsibilities as a father. TJ is an Aboriginal man living in Western Australia and has a weakness for alcohol and a habit of getting into fights. TJ's son Bullet is nearly as troubled as he is - at the age of 13, he has already been arrested for arson, and instead of serving a sentence in a juvenile detention home, he is released to the custody of Elders. Bullet is not eager to reacquaint himself with TJ, but both realise they need to settle their scores with one another, and Bullet's grandfather Texas steps in to help.

## Cast

* Dean Daley-Jones as TJ
* Lucas Yeeda as Bullet
* Karla Hart as TJ's sister
* Alex Lloyd as Musician
* Douglas Macale as Uncle Black
* Patrick McCoy-Geary as Bullet's mate
* Kelton Pell as Mad Dog
* Alan Pigram as Musician
* Ngaire Pigram as Nella
* Stephen Pigram as Musician
* Greg Tait as Texas
* John Watson as Bush Camp Elder

## Production

Director and scriptwriter Brendan Fletcher, usually based in Sydney, wrote the film in collaboration with the lead actors, who were local Indigenous people, and John Watson, an elder of the Jarlmadangah people. The storyline was developed from the true stories of local Indigenous people of the Kimberley region in Western Australia, where the film was shot.
Greg Tait, a Gidja man was a reformed young offender who became a policeman, was given a leading role.
The film was co-produced by musician brothers Alan Pigram and Stephen Pigram, who also provided an original score and performed in the film, along with David Jowsey and Fletcher. Ngaire Pigram, Stephen's daughter, played the female lead role.

## Reception

Mad Bastards received positive reviews from critics and audiences, earning an approval rating of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. Michelle Orange of SBS gave the film three stars out of five. She observed that the "over-reliance on score sets up an avoidant rhythm that begins to feel like a lack of narrative confidence." However she also points out that "Fletcher’s atmospheric approach is not without moments of emotional power, and the raw, unyielding landscapes of Northwestern Australia are framed to resonant effect."

## Awards and nominations

| Award | Category | Subject | Result |
| AACTA Award (1st) | AFI Members' Choice Award | Brendan Fletcher, David Jowsey, Alan Pigram, Stephen Pigram | Nominated |
| AACTA Award (1st) | Best Film | Brendan Fletcher, David Jowsey, Alan Pigram, Stephen Pigram | Nominated |
| AACTA Award (1st) | Best Original Screenplay | Brendan Fletcher | Nominated |
| AACTA Award (1st) | Best Young Actor | Lucas Yeeda | Nominated |
| AACTA Award (1st) | Best Sound | Phil Judd | Nominated |
| AACTA Award (1st) | Best Sound | Nick Emond | Nominated |
| AACTA Award (1st) | Best Sound | Johanna Emond | Nominated |
| ADG Award | Best Direction in a Feature Film | Brendan Fletcher | Nominated |
| AFCA Award | Best Director | Brendan Fletcher | Nominated |
| APRA Music Award | Feature Film Score of the Year | Brendan Fletcher | Nominated |
| APRA Music Award | Feature Film Score of the Year | Alan Pigram | Nominated |
| APRA Music Award | Feature Film Score of the Year | Stephen Pigram | Nominated |
| ASE Award | Best Editing in a Feature Film | Claire Fletcher | Nominated |
| ASSG Award | Best Achievement in Sound for Film Sound Recording | Nick Emond | Won |
| Inside Film Awards | Independent Spirit Award | Brendan Fletcher, David Jowsey, Alan Pigram, Stephen Pigram | Won |
| Sundance Film Festival (2011) | Grand Jury Prize | Brendan Fletcher | Nominated |