Press release from Tsuki
Odin’s Eye Entertainment is pleased to announce that CRUSH, a supernatural thriller created and written by John Soto and co-directed by John Soto and Jeff Gerritsen with Deidre Kitcher as Producer, has been selected for the Focus Australia section of the 12th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) which runs from 13-21 June 2009.
The jury for the international competition in Shanghai will be presided over by Danny Boyle (Director of Slumdog Millionaire, 28 Days Later, Sunshine).
CRUSH stars Chris Egan (NBC TV series KINGS, Eragon, Resident Evil 3, Virgin Territory), Emma Lung (The Jammed, Triangle, The Boys are Back, House of Wax, Entourage: 2008) and Brooke Harman (The Secret Life of Us, Ned Kelly).
Soto has created a must-see film for teens and young adults, a suspenseful thriller which flirts with the supernatural. CRUSH follows the story of University student Julian (Chris Egan) who after being seduced by the mysterious and beautiful Anna (Emma Lung), finds his life unravelling in a series of increasingly strange and dangerous events as her infatuation with him turns deadly.
Music in the film features some of Australia’s coolest bands as well as international acts including Silverchair, Papa Roach, Little Birdy, Codrazine, Something for Kate, Pacifier and The Sleepy Jackson. Music has been composed by Jamie Blanks (Director of Urban Legend and Director/ Composer of Storm Warning). CRUSH was filmed in Perth and edited by one of Australia’s most exciting new Editors Jason Ballantine (Prom Night, Rogue, Wolf Creek).
Despite the ‘financial crisis’ CRUSH has recently sold in various international territories at Berlin FM (Feb, 2009) including Indonesia, Malaysia and the Middle East with negotiations underway for sales in a further five minor and three major international territories at the Cannes film festival (May, 2009).
CRUSH took over $13,000 on one hometown screen earlier this month in its preview release and scored the highest screen average of the week by far, in both limited release and top 20 films. The film has been picked up for distribution throughout Australia and New Zealand by Horizon One Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment.
CRUSH was privately financed with no government support. The film is rated M and has a running time of 81mins. CRUSH is the directorial debut for Soto and Gerritsen.