Barracuda
Melbourne 1996. The Golden Age of Australian swimming is beginning and a scholarship to an exclusive boys school brings 16-year-old Danny Kelly one step closer to his ultimate goal - winning Olympic gold. Initially, Danny struggles to find his place in the prestigious social circles of the private boys school. However under the charge of highly regarded coach Frank Torma and a friendship/rivalry with teammate Martin Taylor, Danny is soon on track to become Australia’s youngest swimming champion, the unstoppable 'Barracuda'.
Ambitious young swimmer Danny Kelly wakes before dawn to workout before his first day at the exclusive Blackstone College where he has won a scholarship.
After Danny’s success in Albury, he trains hard with the swim squad. And he’s finally earned their respect. However coach Torma unsettles Danny by insisting he change his stroke to butterfly. He believes Danny will never win gold with freestyle.
Fresh from his world record-breaking swim, Danny’s dreams come true when he is accepted into the Australian squad for the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. He celebrates with Taylor but their developing relationship takes a turn when Taylor introduces Danny to someone new.
It’s the opening night of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and the nation is buzzing with excitement. It’s been two years since Danny’s public loss and humiliation at the Commonwealth Games and he is still consumed with overwhelming disappointment and anger. He finishes his day at his dead-end job and returns home to the Kelly house where the family feels more fractured than ever.
Author, Christos Tsiolkas, discusses the process of writing Barracuda and the novel adaptation for the screen.
Author, Christos Tsiolkas, discusses meeting actor, Elias Anton, cast as lead character Danny Kelly, for the first time.
Director, Robert Connolly, talks about the visual strategy behind Barracuda.
Olympic swimming champion, Nicole Livingstone, discusses the training regime followed by Elias Anton and other cast members.
Key cast and crew talk about the role of sport in our lives.
Nicole Livingstone, Chris Vaningen, Tony Ayres and Christos Tsiolkas recount their favourite Olympic moments.
Producer, Tony Ayres, discusses the shared experiences of the mothers of Barracuda.
Author, Christos Tsiolkas, discusses Dan's father figures in Barracuda.
Actor, Ben Kindon, and author, Christos Tsiolkas, discuss shooting the Taylor family's World Record party scene.
Director, Robert Connolly, discusses the relationship between Danny and his childhood friend Demet.
Key cast and crew discuss what success and failure and what it is that makes us great.
Director, Robert Connolly, discusses the development of the character Dennis, and the relationship he shares with Danny.
Director, Robert Connolly, discusses the relationship shared by Danny and Martin.
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Release | 2016-07-10 |
| Producer | Matchbox Pictures |