GETTIN’ SQUARE WITH DAVID WENHAM
In 2003, a little Aussie film called Gettin’ Square came out. In the years since, it’s grown a bit of a cult following thanks to its classic Aussie humour and a few unforgettable characters. One of them was Johnny "Spit" Spitieri played by the legend that is David Wenham. Well, friends, all these years later, Spit’s back, this time with his own movie.
Spit has its NT Premiere at Deckchair Cinema this month, and Wenham’s in town for the big event*, so Tierney White caught up with him for a good ol’ gas bag.
Your character Spit is a cracker. He’s an Aussie bogan, a good-natured and pretty unlucky criminal, a bit rough around the edges, yet he is so endearing. Has this been in the works for a while?
Yeah, it’s weird, after we did Gettin’ Square, none of us thought that we’d be revisiting this territory 20-something years later, ‘cause Johnny was a supporting character in that film. How it came about was sort of two-fold.
About 10 years ago, I was talking to a very good friend of mine, Robert Connolly, who’s a filmmaker, and I’ve done about five films I think with him. We were talking about the fact that, the thing I love probably more than anything, is comedy – I don’t get to do it very often. So, he actually brought up the character of Johnny Spitieri, and we just sort of started riffing on it, and I would come up with, sort of, scenarios, where I thought, “oh yeah, you could drop Johnny in there, Johnny could go there, and whatever”, and we sort of amused ourselves. And he said, “you know what? There’s something in it, there’s really something in it".
So I rang Chris Nyst, the writer of Gettin’ Square, and he said, “it’s interesting that you rang”, because both he and Jonathan Teplitzky, the director, had independently been working on a film around Spit. And so, Chris said, “I’ve got something, do you want me to send it to you?” and I said “yes”, and I read it.
And the very first time I read the very first draft, probably about eight to 10 years ago, I thought “this is inspired”, because there had to be a real solid reason for the film to exist and to bring Johnny back – it couldn’t just be another Gettin’ Square, it had to be slightly different, and it is, you know. Gettin’ Square was wholly and solely a comedy-crime caper, this is actually a character film that is a comedy, but it’s got some surprising moments in there as well.
So, sort of serendipitously, the planets aligned, I wanted to do something, and Chris and Jonathan had also wanted to be doing something, and then your next question is why did it take you so long? And the answer to that is it’s so bloody difficult to get an independent Australian movie financed, so that was why it took so long.
Okay, okay, well, we’re thrilled that it’s happening! You can’t go past that scene in the courtroom where Spit’s banging on about his bus fare, it’s absolutely gorgeous. So, it was pretty easy to get you back on board then?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And it’s not just me, it really is about getting the band back together you know. As you know, there’s some other original cast members who have come back, David Field, Helen Thomson, David Roberts. But also, in terms of the crew – and this is something really rare – we’ve got the same writer, the same director, the same cinematographer, the same designer, the same hair and make-up – it’s incredible. It’s pretty much exactly the same team that’s come together after 23 years.
Well, I guess, after all that time, it really does show you how much everyone loved working on it, doesn’t it?
Pretty much! And because it was shot on the Gold Coast, with opportunities to work on really big budget American films, they knocked them all back because they wanted to work on a little independent Australian film – for bugger-all money in terms of wages – but because they wanted to be part of it because they saw it as something really special. And the actual creative process of this, the actual filming period, was about six, seven weeks, was probably one of the most enjoyable creative experiences of my film career, I gotta say.
Wow, that’s a big call, David, a big call! And obviously you love playing the character of Spit, what do you like about him? What is it about him that draws you back in there?
Okay, the thing probably is, let’s just say that I know him so well. I just know him. I hadn’t worn a pair of thongs in 22 years, but as soon as I put the thongs back on, I slipped into character pretty much immediately. And, you know, I know so many Johnny Spitieris in my life, I spent about 25 years living near Kings Cross in Sydney, so I saw Johnny Spitieris every day of my life, and it was them that sort of inspired me to create this character.
And after Gettin’ Square came out, actually, I’d walk along Darlinghurst Road in Kings Cross, and had so many of those guys come up to me, and they loved it because they loved seeing themselves on screen. And one of them, this really fascinating guy – he referred to himself as Two Four Six Eight, The Irate Deviate … he accused me of stealing his identity!
[Laughs]. Oh man, you can just imagine his rego plate!
[Laughs]. Exactly! Yeah, I don’t think that rego’s taken!
I think as well, you’ve done it really well. As you said, there’s Johnny Spitieris everywhere, and to be able to pull that character off without insulting people is quite clever, so kudos to you, sir.
Well, I think that key to that is the fact that I have such an affection for the guy, I actually love the character. His character in the film is done with a lot of affection for these people, and the other thing is I understand these characters as well.
There’s a place in Kings Cross called The Wayside, and I’ve been the ambassador for it for many years. It’s a place that people can go literally to be heard and tell their stories, and for people to listen to them, to help them out if need be and suggest social services for them, so I’d heard these guys’ stories. I know the history of these people and why they’ve ended up the way they have. I have a great soft spot for them.
Well, that translates on film, we feel affection for Spit too, you know, he’s just trying to get square and just can’t catch a break, the poor b-st-rd.
Yeah, as Chris who wrote the thing says, it’s just a story of a little bloke trying to do his best … the amount of people as well that wanna talk to me or ask me about my bus fare – it’s at least every second day – I never get sick of it!
Well, hopefully some people in Darwin ask you for your bus fare, although the buses are currently free here!
Is that right? For how long?
I’m not quite sure, but it’s been a while now!
That’s a fascinating one. Where’s the money coming from?
I think the government’s paying for the buses, so there’s a chance you won’t be asked by fans for your bus fare.
That’s extraordinary!
It is! And you’re coming to Darwin for the NT premiere, and we know you love the Deckchair Cinema, is it nice to be coming back?*
Can’t wait! I love it. It’s an icon, the Deckchair, it’s so fantastic – everything about it I absolutely love, even the fact you’ve gotta be careful of your handbags just in case the possums run off with them [laughs].
That’s true! [Laughs]. Any other plans while you’re visiting us?
Chris, the writer, is coming too, and I think we’re meeting some people from the local film industry for a bit of a chit-chat, so that’ll be good. I think I might spend another day or so up there – I love Darwin, I gotta say, I just love it, it’s so unique. And the fact that I can have a laksa for breakfast just blows my mind.
Yes. You can have a laksa for breakfast, visit the crocs on the main street of Darwin on your lunch break, and then go see the sunset – and clap for it, if you like!
[Laughs]. That’s right. I might have a few beverages as well – I get very thirsty when I’m up there!
Editor's note: After this article was published, David Wenham was called away for another project, and no longer attending the NT Premiere on Thu 1 May, however, writer Chris Nyst will still be in attendance. Wenham will be in town for the screening on Sat 24 May.
Spit – NT Premiere with Chris Nyst
WHEN THU 1 MAY | 7PM
AT DECKCHAIR CINEMA
COST $11-$20 | $45 FAM
INFO deckchaircinema.com
