Rocky’s road leads to Rome

BEN JONESBroome Advertiser

While Bran Nue Dae may have finished its extraordinarily-long run at Sun Pictures, Broome actor and rising star Rocky McKenzie is still reaping the benefits of his starring role.

McKenzie was in Rome last week to attend an international film festival organised by the Australian Embassy to show off Australian culture to Italians.

Bran Nue Dae was among eight Australian films shown as part of the festival including Two Hands, The Man from Snowy River, Ten Canoes, and Romulus, My Father.

McKenzie said as part of the trip he had been visiting schools to talk about how the film was made and conduct question-and-answer sessions before Bran Nue Dae screenings.

He said the only Italian he knew was “buongiorno” but reckoned he would pick the language up pretty quick during his nine-day trip.

Read more...

McKenzie was joined by the film’s producer Robyn Kershaw in Rome.

The trip comes on the back of a similar venture to Indonesia last month, where McKenzie also played in basketball and Australian football games.

The Shire of Broome’s Rod McGrath, who helped organise the trip, said McKenzie had played in the football game with an Indonesian team against the Jakarta Bintangs, a team made up of Australian expatriates.

He also made appearances on Indonesian television.

On his return to Broome, McKenzie will be part of a road safety commercial which will be shot in Broome with comedian Mary G.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails