If you’re a less discerning viewer, or someone who likes things on the rough and ready and ultra-low-budget side, Australian comedy shocker Badass Bunyip could be up your proverbial alley.
It’s Christmas Day Down Under, and since it’s cracking the flags, typical drongos Shazza (Anastasia C. Kouloukas) and Dazza (David Black) go for a walkabout for a peaceful picnic. They don’t get to the furthest outback, just a patch of land in the middle of the city, which unfortunately for them is a sacred aboriginal site. Angering the spirits, they unwittingly unleash a Bunyip – a sasquatch-like mythological creature – that proceeds to mutilate and kill anyone it comes across.
Taking the DIY ethos of Troma to the extreme, Badass Bunyip manages to include enough schlocky gore, offensive and puerile humour, store-bought effects, and surreal visuals to keep indie film fans enjoying things. The filmmakers know they’re not making Citizen Kane so they can go to town, embracing the lameness of everything. It’s not shoddiness for the sake of it, though, as there is an animated sequence that is more adept than it has any right to be.
Writer David Black’s characters are the epitome of what the rest of the world imagines Aussies to be. Dazza sports a bad Vim Fuego wig and behaves in a way that would make ocker legends Alvin Purple and Barry McKenzie blush, but for all his crassness, is harmless. Shazza – played brilliantly by Anastasia C. Kouloukas – isn’t quite as immature, but is still likeably rough around the edges. She also has a fantastic last scene, which is a great payoff for getting through the previous 100 minutes or so.
Baddass Bunyip isn’t for everyone and it knows it. It’s the sort of film you’d make with your mates after a few beers. Massive kudos, though, for presenting the aboriginal ancestry angle with some respect, even when playing for laughs.
Badass Bunyip is available to watch for free on YouTube from July 29th.
