Skin Deep.
Jonnie Leahy's Australian feature Skin Deep is set for theatrical release on January 26 through distributor ScreenLaunch.
Leahy's directorial debut will screen in a selectoin of Australian cinemas with a special event Q and A series in Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane.
The film, set in Newtown, Sydney, follows troubled gay university student Caitlin Davis (Monica Zanetti) who meets Leah (Zara Zoe), a straight and straight-laced young woman from the other side of town.
Although the unlikely pair are reluctantly thrown together by circumstance they discover a surprising natural bond.
When Leah reveals she's actually dying of cancer, Caitlin sets them out on a bucket list style journey through Newtown, determined to help Leah come to terms with her illness and possibly find some meaning for herself.
Skin Deep was recently recognised as Best Indie Film by After Ellen and was singled out for honorable mention in the Narrative Competition at The Austin Film Festival 2014.
It received a nomination for Best Original Feature Film at the AWGIE Awards in 2015, and this year screened at the MiFo Film Festival in Florida, the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and many others.
Skin Deep producer, Rosie Lourde, said Skin Deep was a darkly comical, but ultimately inspiring, urban adventure story that many Australians would relate to.
"It follows the raw and tender journey of a young woman discovering the courage to embrace life as she comes to terms with her diagnosis of terminal melanoma," she said.
Skin Deep.
"As Leah’s adversary and confidant in this journey, Caitlin confronts similar issues around acknowledgement and self-acceptance – revealing how similar we all are beneath the surface, no matter how we appear on the outside.
"We are humbled by how touched the test audiences have been by this film and we are excited to bring this beautiful story to Australian cinemas.”
The film’s writer and actor, Monica Zanetti, has garnered praise for her efforts in bringing to light her personal experiences with Melanoma and raising awareness of the deadly cancer.
Lourde said Skin Deep was the adventure of two people coming together in a heart-warming and beautiful way.
"Demonstrating that sometimes finding yourself begins with getting lost with a stranger,” she said.
Screenings
· Exclusive screening hosted by Women in Theatre and Screen (WITS),
Mon 24 January, 8pm at The Golden Age Cinema with Monica Zanetti, Zara Zoe and Rosie Lourde http://ourgoldenage.com.au/now-showing/
· Monday 25 January at Dendy Newtown, 6.30pm Special “Hometown” Q&A with Monica Zanetti, Jonnie Leahy, Zara Zoe & Rosie Lourde
http://www.dendy.com.au/Movie/Skin-Deep
· Wednesday 27 January at Dendy Canberra, 6.30pm Special Q&A with Monica Zanetti, Jonnie Leahy, Zara Zoe & Rosie Lourde
http://www.dendy.com.au/Movie/Skin-Deep
· Friday 29 January at New Farm Cinema Brisbane, 7pm with Special Guest Q&A with Monica Zanetti and Ketty Ellen (The Sweet Little Army)
· Saturday 6th February at Palace Westgarth, 7pm with Director Jonnie Leahy & Producer Rosie Lourde Special Q&A