Brisbane News
Edition 1WED 21 AUG 2002, Page 013
high diver
By Trent Dalton

David Wenham's stunning turn in Molokai pushed the boundaries of his acting craft.

It's testament to David Wenham's belief in himself that amid praise for his charismatic SeaChange character Diver Dan, he chose to make his major film debut, playing a stubborn Belgian priest who contracts leprosy.

In Molokai: The Story of Father Damien David gives a stunning performance, playing a man of God who sails to the Hawaiian island of Molokai to comfort lepers exiled there in the late 1800s.

David, 36, says the role required him to call on every acting technique he'd learned as a young veteran of the Melbourne theatre circuit, starring in everything from Hamlet and The Tempest to Cosi and Art.

The movie was filmed in 1999, although behind-the-scenes dramas caused the Australian release to be delayed until now. But in that time, the Marrickville-born actor kept himself busy. There was more Diver Dan and film roles in The Boys, The Bank, Better Than Sex and a cameo as club regular Audrey in Moulin Rouge. Not to mention a role as warrior Faramir in a little New Zealand production opening in December called The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

But today it's time to kick back. It's a Saturday afternoon and David's in Brisbane to give a Q & A session for the opening night of Molokai.

How's your state of mind?

Content. It's a Saturday at 2.30pm, so I'm nice and relaxed.

What's in your wallet right now?

A whole heap of plastic cards. Most of which I never use, but have just in case.

Can you recite a line of poetry?

"Love sit down beside me, as aid to myself."

What's the toughest thing you've done?

There's a lot of competition, so probably coming up with a correct answer to this question.

What did you dream about last night?

Missing the wake-up alarm this morning. I didn't, thankfully.

Where is the best view in the world?

Molokai Island from the plane flying over.

Who are your heroes?

My parents, Bill and Kath. And the great Australian actor John Hargreaves.

Who do you find the most beautiful person in the world?

My girlfriend Kate.

Can you tell us a joke?

If I thought about it long enough I probably could. Was that a joke just there?

What was your most glorious mistake?

At drama school, pretending I was one year older than I was. Everyone held a surprise 21st birthday party for me when I was only 20.

What figure of history do you most admire?

Alexander the Great. If you look at the map and see how much land he conquered it's staggering.

Who is the coolest person in the world?

Nelson Mandela.

When have you lied?

At my 21st birthday party all those years ago.

What's your favourite film moment?

The end of Cinema Paradiso. It's syrupy, but it works.

What CD can't you do without?

Pianist Keith Jarrett's The Koln Concert. He's a very gifted pianist who improvises his way through concerts.

Any famous last words?

I'll quote Spike Milligan's gravestone: "I told them I was sick."