[press release from Slingshot]
Principal photography commenced on the feature film “The Truth About Men” in Wellington, New Zealand last week with filming moving to Berlin, Germany in the first week of November.
Directed by Sydney-based commercials director Paul Middleditch and written and produced by well-known Kiwi writer and political cartoonist Tom Scott, this bittersweet, romantic comedy is an hilarious, painful tale about marriage, bad sex
and requited love. Leading the ensemble cast is Joel Edgerton (“Kinky Boots”, “The Secret Life of Us”), accompanied by British beauty Rhona Mitra (“Boston Legal”, “Underworld – The Rise of the Lycans”) and German actor Thomas Kretschmann (“King Kong”, “The Pianist”). Also starring are Les Hill (“Underbelly”) “and Kiwi, Danielle Cormack (“A Song of Good”, “Rude Awakenings”).
“The script is very funny but also a hard-hitting honest look at relationships and marriage. To me it is a curious mix of being confronting but also really comical at the same time. I’m really excited about this film” said Joel Edgerton.
Lead producer, New Holland’s Mark Overett (“Unfinished Sky”) says “Without a doubt, what attracted me to the project was the quality of Tom’s script. It is an exceptional piece of writing – outrageously funny one moment, deeply moving the
next – and reveals a universal truth about men. I believe this film is going to reach a mainstream audience in every country where there are men who still think about sex, and women who wish it could be better”.
“This film consolidates a long-term relationship we have had with New Zealand writers, directors and producers and is destined to be the first of many features New Holland is looking to produce across the ditch” said Overett.
Director of Photography, Sydney’s Steve Arnold, fresh off “Disgrace” which garnered the International Critics Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, collaborates with Middleditch on “The Truth about Men” for their third feature film together. Signed on as the editor is Kiwi veteran Mike Horton. Horton has a shelf full of awards including a BAFTA and an Eddie for his editing work on “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”.
The film is financed by the NZFC and NZ On Air. TVNZ have acquired the New Zealand broadcast rights. International sales are being handled by German-based sales company K5 International. The Australian and New Zealand rights to
the film have been acquired by Hoyts Distribution. Pre-sales include Holland, Belgium and Luxemburg (Independent Films) and Indonesia (Queen Imperial).
“The Truth About Men” is a romantic comedy about falling out of love for the first time. Not only will the tale resonate with men but it will give women a shocking insight into how men think. The story transcends culture, offering an internationally saleable tale expected to touch hearts and inspire a tsunami of laughter around the globe.
Acclaimed as the top commercial director in the southern hemisphere and currently number two in the world, Paul Middleditch leapt at the chance to helm “The Truth About Men”.
“What attracted me to “The Truth About Men” is that I read a very amusing and insightful script that was very pertinent to issues that face a lot of people in their thirties. It’s a very mature script from that perspective” said Paul Middleditch.
Aside from a wealth of commercials, music videos and short films, Paul has also directed two feature length films “Terra Nova” and “A Cold Summer” which have screened at numerous international film festivals and gained him a director’s
nomination at the prestigious AFI Awards.
Tom Scott wrote the first draft of “The Truth About Men” some twenty years ago. Best known in New Zealand for his dry wit and political savvy Scott has experience in writing for both the big and small screen. Projects include “Footrot Flats” and “Hillary on Everest” and the television comedy series “Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby” seen recently on the ABC.
Producers on the film are Mark Overett, Tom Scott, Angela Littlejohn and coproducers Oliver Simon and Daniel Baur. Executive producers are Anton Smit, San Fu Maltha, Cathy Overett and Molly Hassell.
“The Truth About Men” is a co-production between New Holland Pictures (NZ) and Direct Hit Productions. The film will be released by Hoyts Distribution in Australian cinemas in the latter quarter of 2009.