January 31 - Geoffrey Wright

Happy 61st Birthday, Geoffrey Wright! Born today in 1959, this Australian screenwriter and film director, years later, graduated from the Swinburne Film and Television School with a Diploma of Arts in Film and Television 

  

Afterwards, Wright worked as a movie critic for both the "Melbourne Age" and Radio 3AW prior to making his feature debut with his poignant 1989 Australian short drama film 'Lover Boy'. 

  

Three years later, Wright caused quite a stir in writing and directing the film of which he is best known. 

This was the powerful and controversial 1992 Australian drama/crime film 'Romper Stomper'. It was through this film of which Wright gained cult success. 

  

The film fallows Hando (Russell Crowe) and Davey (Daniel Pollock). Both are the leaders of a racist neo-Nazi skinhead youth gang who spend their nights attacking Vietnamese immigrants in a rough section of blue-collar suburban Melbourne.  

  

On the run after losing badly in a fight against the new Vietnamese owners of their local pub, the pair hook up with teenage junkie Gabe (Jacqueline McKenzie).  

  

She suggests robbing the mansion of her rich and sexually abusive father Martin (Alex Scott). However, the girl's presence begins to drive a wedge between the longtime friends. 

  

Post release, 'Romper Stomper' received mixed reviews, but was a substantial box office hit. On a budget os A$1.8 million, the film eventually grossed $3.3 million. 

  

Wright later won a handful of awards and was even nominated for an Australian Film Institute (AFI) Award for Best Director. However, he didn't win. This occurred at the 34th Australian Film Awards in mid-October 1992. 

  

Tragically, Australian actor Daniel Pollock, who played Davey, committed suicide before the film's release.  

  

The character of Hando was originally written for Australian actor Ben Mendelsohn. However, Mendelsohn did not look menacing when his head was shaved.  

  

Crowe, however, had shaved his head, gotten into character, and had been persistently contacting Wright to reconsider his casting decision. When Wright decided Mendelsohn didn't have the look, the role went to Crowe. 

  

It was Crowe’s performance in 'Romper Stomper' that convinced Cutis Hanson to cast him as plainclothes Officer Wendell "Bud" White in his 1997 American neo-noir crime/thriler drama film 'L.A. Confidential'. 

  

The Australian crime/political thriller television series Romper Stomper was released on the Australian video streaming service Stan on January 1. 

  

The series was co-written and co-directed by Wright. However, the seres only lasted for one season. 

  

Wright has been active from 1980–present. 

  

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