Madman Entertainment is mad for Aussie films in 2009
[Press Release by Madman]
Madman Entertainment continues its commitment to the Australian film industry with a wide range of Australian films scheduled for release and production in 2009.
First up is Eric Bana’s directorial debut LOVE THE BEAST. Opening nationally on 12 March, this is a personal story of one man’s 25-year love affair with his car – ‘the Beast’. In this intimate self-portrait, Eric takes us on a personal journey of relationships, family and loss to find the balance between fame and what really matters in life. www.lovethebeast.com.au
Madman is delighted to present the world premieres of two Australian films, Glendyn Ivin’s LAST RIDE and Jonathan Auf Der Heide’s VAN DIEMEN’S LAND, at the Adelaide Film Festival.
Directed by Glendyn Ivin, LAST RIDE stars Hugo Weaving and introduces Tom Russell in a touching story of a desperate father who takes his ten year old son, Chook, on the run after committing a violent crime. Glendyn’s short film, Cracker Bag, won multiple awards including the Palme d’Or at Cannes for Best Short Film and AFI awards for Best Screenplay and Best Film in the Short Fiction film category. www.lastridemovie.com
VAN DIEMEN’S LAND, written and directed by Jonathan Auf Der Heide, is based on the infamous tale of convict Alexander Pearce. Set in 1822, eight starving men escape from the hell-ish prison of Macquarie Harbour, on the unforgiving west coast of Van Dieman’s Land, in a fateful, near mythical bid for freedom. www.vandiemensland-themovie.com
In post-production is Sean Byrne’s teen horror, THE LOVED ONES, featuring Australian stars on the rise Richard Wilson, Jessica McNamee, Victoria Thaine and Xavier Samuel this will be released at the end of the year.
David Michôd’s Melbourne underworld debut feature ANIMAL KINGDOM will start filming early this year, starring Guy Pearce, Joel Edgerton and Ben Mendelsohn. www.animalkingdomthefilm.com.au
Also commencing filming this year is SAVE YOUR LEGS!, directed by Boyd Hicklin, which follows three mates who take their ordinary suburban cricket team and their 30-something issues on an extraordinary (mis) adventure in mystical India, losing matches but returning as winners, starring Brendan Cowell.
James Hewison, Theatrical Distribution Manager of Madman Entertainment, commented on this eclectic and much anticipated slate of upcoming projects for 2009 ”Madman has clearly indicated through KENNY, NOISE and then in 2008 NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD that we wear our Aussie hearts on our sleeve. We have no doubt that these films, and others in 2009 into 2010 will mark striking debuts that will find audiences not only at home, but internationally as well. Bring on our own cinema in 2009!”