This Day in Horror History: LAKE MUNGO Premiered in 2008
Mike Sprague
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If you’ve never seen a ghost… Look closer.
On this day in horror history, writer-director Joel Anderson’s Australian mockumentary-style psychological horror film Lake Mungo with Talia Zucker and Martin Sharpe premiered at the Sydney Film Festival in 2008.
It tells the story of a family trying to come to terms with the death of their daughter and the potentially supernatural events they experience after.
In 2005, Anderson was having trouble finding funding for another script which required a much larger budget so he decided to write something that could be filmed on a low budget. Initial funding was provided by private investors with Screen Australia providing further funding.
The film was shot over a period of five weeks with low profile actors used to maintain an authentic documentary feel. No dialogue was written in the script, only the story outline, so actors improvised their scenes with the director serving as the offscreen interviewer.
When asked what inspired the script, Anderson has said, “I don’t think it’s a supernatural thriller. I think it’s meant to be an exploration of grief.”
It stars Rosie Traynor, David Pledger, Martin Sharpe, Talia Zucker, Steve Jodrell, Tania Lentini, Cameron Strachan, Judith Roberts, Robin Cuming, Marcus Costello, Chloe Armstrong, Carole Patullo, and Scott Terrill.
Rated R for a scene of sexuality, and brief gruesome images, the film sports a 94% approval rating over on Rotten Tomatoes
Written and directed by Joel Anderson, Georgie Nevile, David Rapsey, and Kerri Schwarze produced. Dai Paterson provided the score while John Brawley handled Cinematography and Bill Murphy Edited it all together.
The film premiered at the Sydney Film Festival in 2008 and was screened at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas on March 2009.
Lionsgate and After Dark Films released the film in theaters here in the U.S. as part of the After Dark Horrorfest on January 21, 2010.
How much do you love Lake Mungo? Let us know what you think in the comments below or over on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!
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