Wood Harp

Wood Harp is an Australian drama movie directed by Thomas Rewick and distributed by Sternman films in 2000. The storyline revolves around the life of talented musician, Stephen Smuck, who lives in the South Australian outback with his six year-old son Benny. Smuck wants to make it big one day, but without any money or support he has to overcome several challenges to achieve his ultimate dream: to be a country musician.
Due to the movie's low budget and production errors, it was released direct-to-video. It is considered one of Thomas Rewick's lesser films.
Synopsis
Middle-aged Stephen Smuck's greatest ambition is to become a famous country musician, even though he lives alone with his six year-old son Benny in the Australian outback. At the beginning of the movie, Stephen can be seen playing the harmonica and acoustic guitar around a campfire while Benny sings. Every day for the Smucks is the same until one day, while busking on a street corner (hoping to raise money for food), Stephen is noticed by a failing music agent. The agent asks for Stephen's name, then leaves.
A few days later, the agent arrives at Smuck's shack and introduces himself as Greg Staker. He tells Stephen that he sees considerable talent in his singing, and says Stephen could make it big. He hands him a business card and the address of a pub in town where Stephen has been invited to perform.
Overjoyed, Stephen sets to practicing seriously, even delegating some of his daily duties over to Benny. Benny complains that he has too much work, but his father tells him, "Don't worry mate, it'll be worth it".
That weekend Stephen and Benny arrive at the pub. Stephen performs and the patrons love him. Greg, in the audience with his boss, Mr Woodstan, tells Stephen that he performed brilliantly, and will have another engagement soon. Overjoyed, Stephen and his son go home.
Over the next few weeks, Stephen does several more shows and practices non-stop back home. Benny gets an increasing amount of chores to do. At one show, Stephen meets another passionate country performer, Kelly Burke. The speak briefly before she leaves, and she says, "Gee Steve, you're really great".
The next day Greg returns to Stephen's house to tell him that he's received an invitation to the 37th annual country music festival, where the best musicians from the state compete to be crowned South Australia's "Cing or Cween of the Country". In an attempt to perfect his skills, Stephen takes to the streets to busk again. He meets Kelly, who tells him that she's going to be at the festival as well.
Everything seems to be going perfect for Stephen, until the night before the festival. Benny runs out in tears, crying, "It used to be fun, daddy. Now you just work, work, work." Stephen is faced with the decision to either give up his dream to be with his son, or go to the festival. He leaves a phone call on Greg's answering machine telling him he won't be at the festival.
Stephen thinks that all his work has been for nothing, but on the morning of the festival Greg turns up at his shack. He offers to look after Benny while Stephen performs one last time. Stephen arrives at the festival just in time for the opening round. He appears to be the second-favourite, the favourite being Chip.
The festival chairman Mr Byrnes explains the rules of the day to the musicians. Stephen makes his way through the rounds easily. The only others to do so are Chip and Kelly. Kelly is knocked out in the qualifying final, leaving Chip and Stephen to perform. After the performance, the audience members cast their votes. On stage, Stephen is announced the winner. Greg, Benny and Kelly congratulate him, but Stephen, realising that he won't be able to live a good family life with the state crown on his head, hands the honour to Kelly, who tearfully accepts.
A year later, Stephen and Benny have moved into Kelly's farmhouse. Kelly (now married to Stephen) has just renewed her place as Cween of the Country and travels around everywhere performing. Stephen and Benny do all of the farming duties. The final scene shows the whole family singing happily around a bonfire.
Cast
Red Arnolds as Stephen Smuck
Travis McLannigan as Mr Byrnes
Tracy Childwithers as Kelly Burke
Arnold Bonny as Greg Staker
Trent Valleyweather as Chip
Joel Pryor as Benny Smuck
Lance Stampseed as Mr Woodstan
Filming
The movie was shot in the Murray Mallee, South Australia. The town and festival scenes were shot in Keith, also in South Australia. The movie took just under nine months to make from pre-production to distribution, including two months of filming.
Reception
Due to the low budget, low-quality production and inexperienced acting, Wood Harp was never shown in cinemas. Instead, it was released directly to the shelf on November 1, 2000. The total running time is 85 minutes.

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