From its erotic beginnings to gala celebrations of roaring engines and unbridled explosions, Mark Hartley considers the origins of Australian exploitation cinema. Film excerpts and interviews with the key individuals illustrate how the movement was born.

The film gives the floor to the artisans of low-budget movies – the actors and stuntmen who were behind the emergence of this vibrant cinema, replete with sex, explosions of all kinds and extremely entertaining stories. The documentary charts the beginnings of several contemporary classics, highlighting the skilfully forged path of George Miller’s ongoing Mad Max saga.

Australia/USA – 2008 – 1hr43 – in English subtitled in French – Parental guidance advised

Director: Mark Hartley 

Producers: Craig Griffin, Michael Lynch  

Writer: Mark Hartley 

Actors: Phillip Adams, Glory Annen, Christine Amor