Audio Podcast: MUFF-MIFF2005 with Mark Savage (AUS) Director of "Defenceless"
Episode Summary
In this episode of In The Queue (IndieFilmNation #2), hosts Michael Smith and Barry Mandingo sit down with prolific Melbourne-based independent filmmaker Mark Savage. Recorded on July 9, 2005, during the height of Melbourne's festival season, the conversation explores the dynamic between the mainstream Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) and the controversial Melbourne Underground Film Festival (MUFF). Mark Savage shares candid stories from his decades-long career making thrillers, crime, and exploitation films, discussing the challenges of self-distribution, the impact of Australian censorship, and his unyielding addiction to obscure world cinema. The episode concludes with a brief follow-up interview (Episode 21) with Dean Rebaeov, star and producer of Under The City.
Key Takeaways
- Navigating the Festival Circuit: Savage highlights the importance of underground festivals like MUFF in providing a platform for independent films that might otherwise be ignored by mainstream distributors or rejected by conservative audiences.
- The Struggles of Self-Distribution: Drawing from his experience self-distributing his film Sensitive New Age Killer (originally titled Hitman's Hero), Savage discusses the immense difficulty of competing against Hollywood blockbusters without massive advertising budgets, emphasizing the need for targeted, word-of-mouth art-house releases.
- Censorship and the Australian Film Industry: The conversation touches on the reluctance of local distributors to pick up challenging or violent films due to fears of clashing with the Australian censorship board, which severely limits the visibility of domestic genre cinema.
- A Global Cinematic Appetite: Savage reveals his deep passion for international and obscure cinema, particularly Asian films. He champions controversial works like the Chinese horror film Dumplings and Japanese pink films, demonstrating how a broad cinematic diet influences his own filmmaking style.
- The "MUFF Manifesto": The hosts and Savage debate the "MUFF Manifesto" written by festival director Richard Wolstencroft, analyzing whether its aggressive marketing tactics and calls for industry reform actually help or hinder the perception of Australian independent film.
Timestamps
[00:00] - Introduction: Michael and Barry welcome listeners to Episode 2 and introduce guest Mark Savage.
[00:51] - The Festival Landscape: Discussing the start of MUFF and the upcoming MIFF.
[02:27] - Sensitive New Age Killer: Mark Savage discusses the forced title change of his film from Hitman's Hero.
[03:21] - MUFF Opening Night: Reviewing the opening night films, including Ivan's XTC and the short film Ringtone.
[05:45] - The Importance of MUFF: Analyzing MUFF's role in the Australian film industry and its retrospective on Savage's work.
[09:35] - The Controversial MUFF Poster: A debate on whether MUFF's provocative marketing alienates audiences or perfectly captures its rebellious spirit.
[11:56] - The MUFF Manifesto: Discussing Richard Wolstencroft's manifesto and the perceived crisis in the Australian film industry.
[18:20] - Film Comparisons: Critiquing the marketing strategy of comparing low-budget indie films to controversial classics like Kids or Gummo.
[21:22] - MUFF Highlights: Anticipating Jim Van Bebber's The Manson Family and its long journey to the screen.
[32:10] - MIFF Highlights: Mark Savage passionately recommends the Chinese horror film Dumplings and the documentary Pink Ribbon about Japanese pink films.
[41:46] - Praise for David Gordon Green: Savage briefly highlights Undertow as one of the best American dramas he's seen in years.
[50:29] - The Reality of Distribution: The harsh truth about Australian distributors passing on local independent films and the grueling nature of self-distribution.
[56:19] - What's Next for Mark Savage: Teasing upcoming projects and confessing to a severe "DVD addiction" and late-night webcam movie screenings.
[01:04:28] - Bonus Segment: A brief follow-up interview with Dean Rabaiov regarding the test screenings of Under The City at MIFF.
Connect with our Guest
Follow Mark Savage's latest projects and updates:
Website: (Note: Mark Savage does not currently maintain a personal official website; his filmography and updates can be tracked via his IMDb page or his official Instagram).
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