STACK NZ Magazine April 2015 Issue 61

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In new emotive drama The Water Diviner, first-time director Russell Crowe brought
an embracing sort of inspiration to his actors rather than spoon-feeding them, says
Melbourne actor Ryan Corr. He spoke to Zoë Radas about his experience.
A fter a potent boost to his early career
in the form of the 2011 Heath Ledger
Scholarship, then 23-year-old Aussie
actor Ryan Corr bent his steps away from his
five-year stint on soap Packed to the Rafters.
Following an appearance in Wolf Creek 2 and
now aged 26, Corr was cast as one of the
three lost sons to Russell Crowe’s farmer
father in beautiful Gallipoli-themed drama The
Water Diviner.
Corr’s admiration for his director Crowe
is salient; his comments about the film are
full of reflections on how the veteran actor
approached the task of simultaneously
donning 'leading actor' and 'debut director'
caps. “I have to say, never was it jarring,” Corr
says. “I mean, if ever there was anyone born to
be a director, it’s Russell. He’s a leader. He really
takes flight when he’s in that position.”
Prior to immersing himself in Crowe’s
particular methods of research, Corr’s
understanding of the ANZAC legend and spirit
as an Aussie schoolkid, and how it evolved as he
grew up, will sound familiar to many of us.
“I think they taught us a little bit about
Gallipoli in Australian History, maybe for a term
or something. But, to be honest, not really
enough of it,” he says. “We’re up to the 100th
year anniversary, so of course it’s on the tips of
everyone’s tongues… time dilutes it a bit, for
want of a better word. Although the way that
we go to war now… the conflict’s the same, and
the effect it has on families – mothers, sisters,
brothers, fathers, sons, everything like that –
remains the same. And what soldiers sacrifice.
I know what it is to have a sibling, I know what
it is to lose someone, and we can only do our
Ryan Corr (left) with Russell Crowe in The Water Diviner.
CORR CROWEOF
THE
If ever there was anyone born
to be a director, it's Russell.
He's a leader.
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