Kids create their identity around the things they excel at.; 'There's Tim, he's a football champion', or 'Kelly is the school's best high jumper'.As a kid I was never any good at sports. What I was good at was drawing. So that's what I became known as: 'That's Phil, he's the best cartoonist'.

I went to a little bush primary school, and everyone had their own special talent. I was always illustrating other kids stories and giving them help with creating headings and title pages. I'll never forget the day a friend of mine took great pleasure informing me that the new kid at the school was much better at drawing than I was. I didn't believe it. My friend pulled out a bunch of his illustrations and, to my horror, I realised it was true!

This kind of realisation is traumatic when you're nine. Who are you if not the best at something? I remember going home pretty upset. I hated this other kid, whoever he was. When I got home I picked up a book I'd had for a number of years, 'Crooked Mick of the Speewah'. I loved the world of 'the Speewah', where everything was huge. A world of amazing creatures and places, all taken in with that distinctly understated easy-going Aussie attitude. At that moment though, I really identified with the story of Gus and Sam. These two guys were going through exactly the same dilemma as me! Here was poor old Sam, who was incredibly strong, yet whatever he did he couldn't get noticed, because of Crooked Mick. Worried about his mate, Gus comes up with the plan of finding the Speewah and challenging Crooked Mick. Eventually they find the Speewah, and realise that Mick is everything the legend described him as. Gus, being the quick thinker, quickly changes the bet to another of Sam's skills, cooking the lightest, flakiest pies. This is such a clever and unexpected twist that it is certain these two will win. What a wonderful story!. But no. Crooked Mick is the best at EVERYTHING. His pies are so light, that they defy gravity. Poor old Gus and Sam sneak away defeated. We catch up with the two a short while later - both completely content. They have opened a pie store, selling the second best pies in Australia.

This filled me with hope. So what if I'm not the best artist. I realised that being the best is just an easy way for others to label you. So I went to school the following day, the second best cartoonist!

Above: Phil speaking to the 'Making of' crew during filming

Some people have commented that they loved the story except for the bit where Sam loses the pie baking contest. They thought it would have been better had he won. This was the most important ingredient in why I identified with the story when I was nine. In life, there will always be a Crooked Mick around the corner. Someone out there who is better than us. For me the story taught a great life lesson, which I have carried to this day.

When I had the opportunity to make a film at the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) I immediately thought of ‘Crooked Mick of the Speewah’ and what a fantastic privilege it would be to share the story of Gus and Sam with a new audience of kids. It also appealed to me to reintroduce these wonderful old myths and legends to a new audience. The old stories of the Speewah and Crooked Mick (which Pat Edwards based her children's book on), tells us a lot about where our contemporary attitudes and Australian character come from. The manner in which the harsh environment shaped our unique, dry humour.

I was very fortunate to be surrounded with a group of very talented and supportive collaborators, who all took to the story of Crooked Mick with equal enthusiasm. Everybody has worked incredibly hard on this project. Over two years in the making, it took up my entire film school experience, and was worth every second. Now, for the first time, the myth of Crooked Mick, and the story of Gus and Sam has been brought to life on the big screen. I hope you enjoy the film as much as I enjoyed making it.

Kind Regards,

Phil Smith
Director