CinemaPlus and Illumination Films have crafted a unique national event release for Paul Cox’s Force of Destiny.
This will include presenting the film at major film festivals, a limited edition cinema program and a series of screenings featuring special guests and speakers.
The film will screen on the opening night of the Darwin International Film Festival in September and the Albury Border Mail Film Festival in August.
Major festival presentations include Cinéfest Oz and Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival special screenings.
Many screenings will be presented with a Q and A or special introduction with director Paul Cox, actors David Wenham, Hannah Fredericksen, Jacqueline McKenzie, Terry Norris and Julia Blake.
Producers Maggie Miles & Mark Patterson, transplant recipients Derryn Hinch and Paulie Stewart and other creatives including sculptor Trefor will also take part in the sessions.
At the MIFF opening, Paul Cox said: “The proof of our lives is the love we leave behind," he said.
"If I had to live life again I would be crazier than I have been. I would laugh more and cry less and would be more aware of the fact that life must be an act of love whatever the consequences. FORCE OF DESTINY is an outpouring of my love.”
Robert Connolly said the success of The Turning’s event screening approach was something CinemaPlus iwas further developing with the release of Force of Destiny.
"We are thrilled and excited to be presenting this very special film in a very special way,” he said.
The release will provide cinema audiences with contextual information on director Paul Cox and the personal experiences he has poured into this film.
In the flim, David Wenham stars as Robert, a renowned sculptor diagnosed with cancer of the liver.
While reeling from this news he meets Maya (Shahana Goswami), an Indian marine biologist who comes from a different world, a different reality.
Robert’s passion for Maya intensifies as he confronts the agony and ecstasy of finding the love that has evaded him his entire life, just as his body is about to be taken from him. New hope comes when he’s placed on the transplant waiting list.
David Wenham and Shahana Goswami are joined by an international cast including Jacqueline McKenzie, Hannah Fredericksen, Seema Biswas, Mohan Agashe and Terry Norris.
Force of Destinly was produced by Mark Patterson, Maggie Miles and Baby Mathew Somatheeram.