WithTrue History of the Kelly Gang now available on-demand and on digital, we’re reposting our interview withCharlie Hunnam and George MacKay from TIFF.
One of the many films to world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival was directorJustin Kurzel’sTrue History of the Kelly Gang. Based onPeter Carey’sBooker Prize-winning novel, the film is a fictionalized re-telling of the life and crimes of infamous 19th-century Australian outlawNed Kelly (played byGeorge Mackay). For those unfamiliar with Kelly’s story, while he only lived twenty-five years, he’s an Australian legend in the mold ofJesse JamesorRobin Hood. In the film, which is told in three acts, we learn about Kelly’s childhood, teenage years, and, finally, his last days. The film also starsRussell Crowe,Charlie Hunnam,Nicolas Hoult,Essie DavisandThomasin Mackenzie.
Shortly after seeing the film I sat down with Charlie Hunnam and George MacKay at the Collider studio at TIFF. They talked about the unique story structure, how much they knew about Ned Kelly’s story before getting the script, what it’s like working with actors they admire, why MacKay and the other actors created a punk band for rehearsal on the movie, and so much more. In addition, Charlie Hunnam shares agreatstory about his first scene with Russell Crowe (around the 9 minute mark) and how he auditioned forMaster and Commanderthree times without getting a role.
Check out what they had to say in the player above and below is exactly what we talked about followed by the official synopsis.
Charlie Hunnam and George MacKay:
Here’s the official synopsis:
Set against the badlands of colonial Australia where the English rule with a bloody fist and the Irish endure, Ned Kelly (George Mackay) discovers he comes from a line of Irish rebels called the Sons of Sieve, an uncompromising army of cross dressing bandits immortalized for terrorizing their oppressors back in Ireland. Nurtured by the notorious bushranger Harry Power (Russell Crowe) and fueled by the unfair arrest of his mother, Ned Kelly recruits a wild bunch of warriors to plot one of the most audacious attacks of anarchy and rebellion the country has ever seen. Loved by the people, feared by his enemies and carved in history, Ned Kelly is more than a Robin Hood, he is a f***ing legend.
