YAHOO

Rip It Up, Issue 190, 1 May 1993, Page 12

YAHOO

Yahoo Serious, alias Young Einstein, alias Reckless Kelly (his new movie) was in town last month meetin' and greetin' the press to promote his latest meisterwork. A troupe of us got to go out to dinner with him and witness the Aussie director/ actor/ writer/ producer's serious PR professionalism first hand. No wonder he manages to rustle up millions of dollars for his mad-cap movies. All nightlong, Yahoo appeared interested in everything everyone had to say (even the woman from NZ Woman's Weekly!). Admittedly, conversation revolved around Reckless Kelly — a techni-col-oured action adventure comedy in which good triumphs over evil, boy meets girl and Serious airs his environmental and social concerns (Australian republicanism, big business exploiting mother nature) with child-like gusto. In fact, Reckless Kelly works well as a hip kid's movie — a politically cor-

rect, socially responsible intro to pop culture for 14 year olds. For us grown ups, it's a tad simple minded.

One on one, Mr Serious proves to be even more of an ace performer. When he arrived for his interview with me the next day he kissed me on the cheek, offered me a bite of his apple, and kept saying how much he enjoyed talking to writers (!). He considers himself an artist (he's an ex-painter) revelling in the medium of film, which allows him to fuse his passion for art, writing and music. He autographed my CD of the soundtrack ("To Donna, with laugh, Yahoo") and grilled me on the best place in town to hang out on a Thursday night. Then we said good-bye and the gorgeous Yahoo kissed me one more time, thereby despatching one more happy journalist into the void. I wonder what he did to Russell Baillie?

DONNA YUZWALK