As Australia made a large impression this year at Sundance Film Festival, one film in particular celebrated the continent for which it represented: Top End Wedding.
I was able to chat with the star and co-writer Miranda Tapsell about her love for romantic films, her roots, and now – Sundance!
Kristy Strouse for Film Inquiry: Thanks for taking the time to speak with me today and congratulations on the movie!
Miranda Tapsell: Thank you!
You are the star but also the co-writer, can you tell us a little bit about the origin of the story?
Miranda Tapsell: Yes, so Josh and I were teaching acting students in Sydney and he told me he had been up to the Northern Territories and how much he loved it and that’s my hometown, thats where my ancestral lands are, so I was really blown away because most people I had met in Sydney had not been up to Darwin or the top end. And because we found that common ground we started talking about the films we loved and we noticed a lot of them are romantic comedies so we thought: “Hey, why not set one up in the Northern Territories.”
How was it to co-write the script, I know that this is your first feature script right?
Miranda Tapsell: Yeah it is. I wont lie, it was a very intimidating experience, especially because while there are a lot of romantic comedies, there’s not one quite like Top End Wedding that I could reference so I sort of had to find what is my gaze and if this is my gaze then how do I miss. If these are all things that I believe in and if this is the community I love so much and if this is how I want them represented then how do I portray that within a 90 minute film and how do I trust that a visual medium will tell it.
You said that you love romantic comedies, what are some of your favorites?
Miranda Tapsell: Some of the ones that have come out recently have been great, Like I love The Big Sick and The Incredible Jessica James and Crazy Rich Asians. It was lovely that they were able to find a unique voice in the genre, it was really lovely, and it was really heartwarming to be able to write this film during this climate. I know, like okay, I am safe here, I can do this.
Absolutely! Was it something you always wanted to do as far as writing, since you’re an actress as well?
Miranda Tapsell: Yes! I think Josh really opened up the possibility of writing to me, I had never written before and I think he told me “No you understand, you understand how a script works.” And you are constantly deconstructing scripts as an actor, so you will understand it. You will understand the process more than you think you do, and it turned out that I really did. I really want to continue writing.
Did you see yourself as the character when you were writing it?
Miranda Tapsell: In some ways yeah, but I kind of didn’t have an outside eye. I was picturing the territory, I was putting myself in other peoples shoes as well, particularly the quirky territory characters we have set up, so it was a very enjoyable process in that sense.
You and Gwilym had great chemistry, I think it was one of the strongest points of the film, did it come easy, building that rapport?
Miranda Tapsell: Oh, when I met Gwilym everything felt really easy. I happened to be in London at the time that he was auditioning for Wayne, so the casting agent begged me to meet him and so I went and met him and he just had this twinkle in his eye, he just had this sense of adventure. He was just so warm and gentle and I think it was really important for me that Ned be incredibly understanding and patient and also really booksmart, but I guess out of his depth when it comes to being in the territory and I think he brought all of that to the role.
I agree. You said the location was a big part of it so was everything filmed where it’s being portrayed?
Miranda Tapsell: Yeah we filmed in Katherine and Kakadu National Park and the Tiwi islands, we did film in those areas. We spoke to the traditional owners of the country and we spoke to the Jawoyn, Tiwi and the Larrakia. I think it was lovely to have so many indigenous people support the film because their knowledge of the country was exactly what we wanted. We wanted the spirit of that to carry to the film.
There is actually several Australian movies at Sundance this year. I have seen a few of them! Whats this experience been like for you, being at Sundance?
Miranda Tapsell: I think it is incredibly exciting that it has been the most Australian movies that have come to Sundance and to be one of the six has been an incredible honor! But also I have been excited to see there has been a growth in indigenous filmmaking and Sundance has been a huge part of that growth.
Absolutely. What would you say and how would you describe the movie to someone who hasn’t seen it yet?
Miranda Tapsell: It’s definitely a love letter to the territory.
Perfect! Are you looking to the future and planning anything else or are you just enjoying this?
Miranda Tapsell: I think this is definitely one of the bigger things I will be focusing on in 2019, but now that I have had a taste and been given this wonderful platform and opportunities that will arrive from Sundance, it only makes me want to grow more and more into filmmaking.
Definitely. So, you would like to be directing as well as writing?
Miranda Tapsell: I would love to have that experience for sure!
Great! Is this the first time you have been to Park City, I know the movie brought you here, but in general have you gone to Sundance?
Miranda Tapsell: I have been to the US before, but I have never been to Utah, it is like a Christmas village, I feel like Santa is going to pop out any minute [Laughs]. It is so charming and gorgeous and for somebody who hasnt grown up in the snow it is certainly magical for me.
Quite a bit different from Australia!
Miranda Tapsell: Definitely. [Laughs]
Thank you very much for talking to me and I enjoyed the movie and wish you the best of luck with it!
Miranda Tapsell: Thank you so much for watching it!
We want to thank Miranda Tapsell for taking the time to speak with us. Top End Wedding had its premiere at Sundance Film Festival.
Does content like this matter to you?
Become a Member and support film journalism. Unlock access to all of Film Inquiry`s great articles. Join a community of like-minded readers who are passionate about cinema - get access to our private members Network, give back to independent filmmakers, and more.