Mark Lazarus Movies

Paul Goldman's feature film debut Australian Rules is a sports drama that combines a coming-of-age story with an examination of race relations between Australians and Aboriginals, and a sensitive interracial love story. Gary Black (Nathan Phillips) is a 16-year-old who plays on the local Australian rules football team. His best friend is aboriginal Dumby Red (Luke Carroll), the star of the team. After Dumby wins the big game, the racist coach denies him the credit he deserves. This leads to a series of dramatic confrontations capped off by Gary confronting his racist father. Australian Rules was screened at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Hell hath no fury like a woman scored -- and her father -- in this tense tale of terror from Australia. Brent (Xavier Samuel) is driving home late one night with his father when he swerves after seeing something in the road. The car spins out of control, and moments later Brent's dad is dead. Brent is wracked with guilt over the incident, and sinks into a deep depression, only beginning to sort out his feelings when he begins dating one of his classmates, a pretty and nurturing girl named Holly (Victoria Thaine). However, another young woman at school, Lola (Robin McLeavy), has taken an interest in Brent, going so far as to ask him to escort her to an upcoming dance. Loyal Brent turns Lola down, but he learns the hard way she doesn't handle disappointment well. Lola and her wealthy father (John Brumpton) force Brent to attend a private party at a cottage in the woods, where he's the only guest and Lola and her dad proceed to mete out brutal punishment for daring to hurt her feelings. The Loved Ones was the first feature film from director and screenwriter Sean Byrne. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi