Watch the stars of Pawno celebrate the opening night at The Sun Theatre.
Australian feature Pawno has opened to postive reviews and a healthy box office.
The film, directed/produced by Paul Ireland and written/produced by Damian Hill, opened nationally on April 21 and achieved $3,120 per showing on 19 screens over the Anzac Day long weekend.
The character driven ensemble, set in the diverse and mulicultural Melbourne suburbe of Footscray, recorded particularly strong results at The Sun in Yarraville, Melbourne, where the film opened to a gala premiere.
Ireland, Hill, and key cast members including Kerry Armstrong (Lantana), Tony Rickards (Holding The Man) and Mark Coles Smith (Last Cab to Darwin), walked the red carpet before guests packed out four sold-out sessions.
Australian actors Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under), Damian Walshe Howling, film industry figure Steve Vizard, and Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley were among the audience attending.
Hill said the feedback had been overwhelming.
"We’re excited to continue sharing the film with audiences and we will be announcing more special events and screenings,” he said.
Pawno was produced by Paul Ireland and Damian Hills’ Toothless Pictures and is distributed by Mind Blowing World, a new production and distribution company formed by John Molloy and Mitu Bhowmick-Lange, and sister company to Mind Blowing Films.
Mark Coles Smith and Malcolm Kennard in Pawno.
Mind Blowing World’s John Molloy said it had been an incredible opening for the film.
"Mind Blowing World is thrilled to be working with such talented filmmakers and this excellent local film for our first release," he said.
"The best part has been the response. Audiences are connecting with these special characters and the wonderful world that is contemporary Australia.”
The film, which also stars Malcolm Kennard, John Brumpton and Maeve Dermody, revolves around one day in the lives of twelve characters.
It is set in an ageing Pawnbrokers and at the core of the story beats a romance.
Within a day, lives intersect and motives are examined.
Characters from various cultural backgrounds are reflected in the performances of the actors.
The soundtrack includes Tom Waits, Astronomy Class and Vance Joy amongst others and is married with an original score to take the viewer into the sanctuary of Les Underwood and his pawn store whilst catching the vulnerability of those on the street.
Since opening on April 21, Pawno has enjoyed positive reviews:
• David Stratton, The Australian: “…an outstanding example of contemporary independent Australian cinema.”
• Margaret Pomeranz: “I loved this film, loved it, loved it! …!”
• Hugo Weaving: "Pawno is a genuinely funny, tender, wry and moving film… An honest and unforced gem.”
• Nick Dent, Sunday Herald Sun: “Pawno is a funny, gritty slice of urban Australian life that seems so authentic you can practically smell the spray paint.”