Aussie movie star John Jarratt — best known for his villainous role in horror flick Wolf Creek — is in Canberra tonight and tomorrow to show his softer side, as a supporter of the Down Syndrome community.

The 72-year-old actor had just come from the gym (preparing for the third instalment of Wolf Creek) when we spoke, but his terrifying character of Mick Taylor is a far cry from his genuine friendship with Down Syndrome actor Gerard O’Dwyer.

What started out as a movie project starring Gerard and written by John — What About Sal — has blossomed into a beautiful relationship.

“I’ve adopted him, basically,” John said. “His dad died young and he said I’m his dad now. I’ve got six other kids so you might as well join in, he’s part of the family now. He calls me Terry, actually, because he likes me from McLeod’s Daughters.”

John’s in Canberra tonight with Gerard for the ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability Association event, Inclusion and Cocktails. The inseparable pair will also be at Dendy tomorrow for a screening (and Q&A) of their film What About Sal.

“The Down Syndrome story idea for What About Sal came from when I was at a football match and there was a Down syndrome guy in the stands,” John said. “We were watching the Rabbitohs versus Manly and this guy, in his early 30s, was there with his mum, and I think she was about 70.

“I don’t think she was a footy fan, but she was there under sufferance with him and every time we scored a try, they’re so exuberant, so full of life. They relish life and they’re capable of unconditional love and things that we’re not capable of. They’re emotionally much more intelligent than we are. If you spend any time with them, they very rarely go down and if they do, it’s really genuine and heartfelt. They’re amazing people.”

What struck John when he was going back to the car park was, “I wonder what would happen to that fella that we had such a good time with, if his mum passed away and he had nobody”.

“Nothing — no brothers and sisters or aunties or uncles, no-one,” John said. “I thought, that’s a bloody good idea for a film.”

What About Sal is a heartfelt story about Sal (Gerard O’Dwyer), who’s in his 30s and lives with his mum Sophie (Kaarin Fairfax), who has a terminal illness. She has only weeks to live, and with no living family members left, Sal — who has Down Syndrome — could become a ward of the state. When Sal becomes aware that he was a product of a one-night-stand, he plays detective and embarks on a journey to find his unnamed father.

John said Gerard’s performance is “one of the best performances in Australian cinema history as far as I’m concerned”.

“He’s not just a great Down Syndrome actor, he’s a great actor, full stop,” John said. “I want to keep working with Gerard just like I’d love to work with Mel Gibson again. It means that much to me.”

John already has another film in the works, in which Gerard will play a major role. For now though, John’s keen to support Gerard’s community by attending tonight’s Inclusion and Cocktails event for the ACT Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability Association.

“It’s great to be able to do things for Gerard’s associations and he’s like their rock star,” John said. “Gerard is such a big personality in the Down Syndrome community and this film is heralding them.”

As for his upcoming return in horror film Wolf Creek, John’s trying to get in shape for the terrifying role that starts filming this October.  

“It’s pretty hard to get the muscles back up,” he said. “I’m pretty fit and well for my age. I’m 72 but it takes a while to get the big muscles back up again — but they’re there….  I’m nothing like the bad guy Mick but it’s great fun playing him. I love playing him. It’s been a great ride and it’s continuing. I’m lucky to be still relevant at my age.” 

Inclusion and Cocktails is on tonight, Friday 9 May, 6:30-9pm, at Gungahlin Eastlakes, 51 Hinder St, Gungahlin.  Tickets: events.humanitix.com/inclusion-and-cocktails

A charity screening of What About Sal and Q&A with John Jarratt and Gerard O’Dwyer is at Dendy tomorrow, 10 May, 12 noon-2:30pm. All proceeds go to ACT Down Syndrome & Intellectual Disability Association. Tickets: events.humanitix.com/what-about-sal-screening-q-and-a

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