Having directed the first music video (Video Killed the Radio Star) and for managing to fit Queen songs into a film set in 16th century Scotland, with a new film on the horizon it seemed only fitting for LWLies to have a wee catch up with Australian director Russell Mulcahy. Much like his new film Give 'Em Hell Malone, his answers are sharp, witty and straight to the point.
LWLies: How did you come about directing Give 'Em Hell Malone?
Mulcahy: I'm developing another project with the producer Richard Rionda. This screenplay came along and excited both of us and the timing was just right.
Many of the shots used in the film show that you are obviously a big fan of the genre, how long have you been interested in the scene and was it important the film was faithful in some ways to classic noir ?
I have always been a fan of film noir, both cinematically and dramatically. The films are not only sharp in style but dark and warped in their stories and characters. They live in their own unique world. I suppose Malone leans towards the genre with its slightly warped dark quality.
Give 'Em Hell Malone is filled with humour, is the film intended to be almost a parody of the genre?
Malone is inspired by the genre but I veer off and travel a different path, I wanted to have a bit more fun with it.
The film appears to be set in the modern day, yet the main cast seem like they are stuck in the 1940s. Can you explain why you took this decision?
I decided I wanted to create a world with no specific time frame, a world where the characters are sort of out of odds with their surroundings.
Give 'Em Hell Malone is going straight to DVD; could you see the film developing something of a cult status?
That’s entirely up to the cults!
Are you worried about offending the diehard film noir buffs?
No. There are no rules. If I did offend anyone, I apologize and suggest they watch something else.
You’ve received quite a bit of criticism for re-making Teen Wolf, does such criticism annoy you long before anyone’s even seen any of the new version?
No, it’s charming really. I would just say wait and be surprised.
You’ve directed a lot of action films, yet you’ve also done more character-driven things like Swimming Upstream, do you have a preference on the type of films you prefer to direct now?
I am attracted to films that capture my imagination and films that I would also like to watch myself.
You directed the first music video Video Killed the Radio Star did you have any idea how important music videos would be when you were directing it?
Not a clue. If I had I probably would have done a better job!
Give ‘Em Hell Malone is now available on DVD courtesy of Momentum Pictures.
