Daniel Keene Movies
- 2006
A couple living in Melbourne's bayside inner-city and hooked on heroin resorts to drastic measures in order to fend off sobriety in director and co-screenwriter Alkinos Tsilimidos' bleak addiction drama. Look up the word "hopeless" in the dictionary and it would come as no surprise if the definition was accompanied by a picture of Jay (Nick Barkla) and Em (Laura Gordon). A pair who isn't above performing sexual acts to fund a fix, Jay and Em share a dilapidated apartment and constantly seem to be on the edge of overdose. Eventually, when normal means of raising money fails, the desperate drug addicts determine to fund their addiction by resorting to armed robbery. Though Em views the dangerous endeavor as a means of forming a stronger connection with her dazed lover, Jay seems more taken by the power that comes with wielding a deadly weapon. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laura Gordon, Nick Barkla, (more)
- 2004
A man on the edge of collapse falls into a well of despair in this psychological drama from Australia. Tom White (Colin Friels) is an architect who is emotionally reaching the end of his rope. Edgy, confused, and losing touch with reality, White finds himself obsessively working on a project from which he was removed weeks before, and his hands shake so badly he can barely hold a pencil. Tom's superiors suggest he should spend a few days away from the office to regain his bearing, but instead of returning home to his wife (Rachael Blake) and children, he goes on a bender. After getting beaten in a fist fight, he wanders into a gay club and strikes up a conversation with a hustler named Matt (Dan Spielman). Matt lets Tom stay at his flat for a few days before Tom moves on and drifts into an affair with Christine (Loene Carmen), who runs a carnival-sideshow shooting gallery. Tom sinks deeper and deeper into hopelessness and depression, and eventually finds himself living on the streets and running with Jet (Jarryd Jinks), a troubled teenager who blots out his misery by sniffing glue. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Two small-time gamblers fumble what they imagine would be a sure thing in a bittersweet comedy-drama from Australia. John (Syd Brisbane) and Bill (David Field) are a pair of down-and-outers with an unfortunate fondness for booze and a stunning inability to pick the winners at the dog track, no matter how often they try (and they try as often as they can). The two think they may have finally found the light at the end of the tunnel when a mysterious benefactor offers them the opportunity to race his purebred greyhound, Silent Partner, on the dog track circuit. John and Bill leap at the chance, but against all odds, Silent Partner goes on a losing streak as soon as they begin looking after his "career." Desperate to make good with the dog, John and Bill decide to give Silent Partner a chemical advantage over his competitors, which turns out to be a very bad idea. Silent Partner was written for the screen by Daniel Keene, who adapted the material from his own stage play. Noted Australian singer/songwriter Paul Kelly contributes several new tunes to the soundtrack. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Field, Syd Brisbane, (more)
