Go Karts (film)

Go Karts, also known as Go!, is a 2019 Australian teen coming-of-age sports drama film directed by Owen Trevor on his feature film directorial debut. The film stars William Lodder, Frances O'Connor and Richard Roxburgh in the lead roles.[1] It resembled similar to the storyline of 1984 Japanese martial arts drama film The Karate Kid.[2] The film is based on kart racing community in the Western Australia and talks about an underdog winning the National Kart racing championship.[3]

Go Karts
Film poster
Directed byOwen Trevor
Written bySteve Worland
Produced bySonia Borella
Jamie Hilton
StarringWilliam Lodder
Anastasia Bampos
Frances O'Connor
Richard Roxburgh
Production
company
See Pictures
Distributed byRoadshow Films (Australia and New Zealand)
Netflix (International)
Release dates
  • 28 August 2019 (2019-08-28) (CinefestOZ)
  • 16 January 2020 (2020-01-16)
Running time
102 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

The film, originally titled Go!, premiered at the 2019 CinefestOZ Film Festival and was released to theatres on 16 January 2020 in Australia.[4][5] Under the title Go Karts, the film was added to Netflix globally on 13 March 2020 excluding Australia and New Zealand and opened to mixed reviews from critics.[6][7][8][9][10]

Plot

Jack and his single mother Christie move into a small town in Western Australia. Jack relieves his painful memory as he lost his father Hooper from cancer.

Jack later helps his mum loading things into her new business shop. While helping his mum, she tells him to go to a party at a go kart track. He develops an interest, love and passion for go karting at the birthday party of his new friend, Mandy. Jack also discovers that he is really good at the sport and starts training but must learn to control his recklessness. He strives hard to win the Australian National Go Karts Championship by defeating the best drivers in Australia. He gets the support of his mentor Patrick and his best mates Colin and Mandy to achieve his dream. However he has to confront many obstacles to defeat the ruthless champion, Dean, who is his strongest competitor. Dean gets the support of his father, Mike, who owns a race team.

Cast
  • William Lodder as Jack Hooper
  • Frances O'Connor as Christie Hooper, Jack's mother
  • Adam T Perkin as Hooper, Jack's father
  • Richard Roxburgh as Patrick
  • Dan Wyllie as Barry, the local police officer.
  • Darius Amarfio-Jefferson as Colin
  • Anastasia Bampos as Mandy Zeta
  • Cooper van Grootel as Dean Zeta
  • Damian de Montemas as Mike Zeta

Production

The film marked debut directorial venture for Owen Trevor, who previously helmed short films.[11] The film was made completely based on crowdfunding, funded by Screen Australia, Screenvest, Lotterywest, Spectrum Films, Create NSW, Media Super, Fulcrum Media Finance and the principal photography of the film commenced in Busselton in April 2018.[12] In April 2018, the producers of the film advertised via online platforms to recruit required drivers, teams, officials and spectators for the shooting of the film. The film was entirely shot and set in Australia on the backdrop of kart racing sport. It was predominantly filmed in Western Australia especially in Perth and at few race tracks in the Western Australia such as Cockburn International Kartway, Bunbury City Kart Club.[13] The official trailer of the film was unveiled by Roadshow Films on 22 August 2019 and the film was also premiered at the 2019 CinefestOz Film Festival.[14]

American digital platform Netflix bought the worldwide rights of the film excluding Australia, New Zealand and unveiled its official trailer on 27 February 2020.[15][16]

References
  1. Fogarty, Paul (16 March 2020). "Go Karts: Meet Netflix newbie William Lodder – explore the Australian actor's age and Instagram!". HITC. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  2. "Go Karts - Movie Review". www.commonsensemedia.org. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  3. Ward, Sarah (15 December 2019). "'Go!': Review". Screen. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  4. "Media Statements - CinefestOZ showcases WA-made films". Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  5. "New US Trailer for Coming-of-Age Racing Film 'Go Karts' from Netflix". FirstShowing.net. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  6. "Go Karts review - Netflix film is average storytelling but a thrilling ride". Ready Steady Cut. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  7. "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Go Karts' on Netflix, an Australian Movie About Go Karts and the People Who Race Them". Decider. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  8. "Go Karts | Netflix Official Site". www.netflix.com. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  9. "The Go Karts trailer may eliminate the need to see the whole movie". News. 28 February 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  10. "GO! (2020) - The Screen Guide - Screen Australia". www.screenaustralia.gov.au. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  11. "GO KARTS". SEE. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  12. "Go!: Why you should check out Australia's Karting Kid movie". Stuff. 15 April 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  13. Biswas, Shuvrajit Das (13 March 2020). "Where Was Go Karts Filmed? 2020 Netflix Movie Filming Locations". The Cinemaholic. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  14. Ma, Wenlei (21 August 2019). "Australian movie Go! releases first trailer". News.com.au. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  15. Grater, Tom (13 January 2020). "Netflix Buys Australian Family Pic 'Go Karts'". Deadline. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  16. "Netflix grabs Owen Trevor's family film 'GO!'". IF Magazine. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
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