Frustrated by the types of films Australia was making in the 1980s, David Parker says he was encouraged by actor Colin Friels to write his own script – something he had never previously attempted.

Raising the budget to make Malcolm involved some sacrifices as well as an inventive approach worthy of Malcolm himself.

First time director, Nadia Tass, had to convince the crew she knew what she was doing while learning on the job.

Nadia Tass and David Parker talk about the involvement of actor Colin Friels in the film and casting Friels as the central character, Malcolm.