Screen Queensland presents a special Q&A event with writer/director Michael Rowe at the Brisbane Powerhouse on Wednesday 30 July at 5.15pm.
Rowe will be joined by Freshwater Pictures' Trish Lake discussing his career and his most recent experience of writing and directing Rest Home, due for release in 2015.
At this special Q&A event, hear Michael talk about his ‘rigorously minimalist’ approach to cinematography and direction and how he is applying this philosophy of show ‘biz’ to Rest Home. He is certainly the ‘maestro’ of making an award-winning film on a shoestring budget and in the process attracting marquee talent both behind and in-front of the camera with Melissa George and Paul Doucet to star in his latest feature.
Rest Home will be Michael's first ‘English’ feature film. A psychological drama, Rest Home follows a security guard in a retirement home whose life spirals out of control when he catches his wife with a lover, pushing him to the brink of insanity.
Michael’s feature film directorial debut Leap Year (Año bisiesto) won the Caméra d'Or prize for best first feature at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. Shot entirely in a shabby apartment in Mexico City in 17 days, Leap Year was made on what you could describe as a “less-than-zero” budget. Here is a slice of international press reviews:
**** “A disturbing debut feature from Australian playwright Michael Rowe that is reminiscent of the Roman Polanski classic Repulsion.” – Daily Express
**** “To Rowe's credit, this isn't just a movie about sex. It's a compassionate study of human loneliness.” – New York Post
*** "Leap Year might be too much for some audiences, but it is a potent and surprising work.” – Los Angeles Times
*** “Nothing about Leap Year plays out exactly like you expect, and Rowe prefers to send you home with enigmatic questions instead of clear-cut answers.” – Miami Herald
(Rotten Tomatoes 96% Positive {critics})
Winning critical and peer acclaim, Rowe was approached by Gael Garcia Bernal who offered to produce his sophomore feature film, Manto Acuífero (The Water Table aka The Well) as part of a Mexican trilogy.
Growing up in Ballarat, Victoria, Michael has spent the last twenty years living in Mexico City. Therefore don’t miss this is a rare opportunity to hear from the award-winning filmmaker before he heads back to Mexico City.
Rest Home is an official Canadian-Australian co-production with Montreal-based Possibles Media and Brisbane-based, Freshwater Pictures.
DATE:
Wednesday 30 July 2014
VENUE:
The Rooftop Terrace
Brisbane Powerhouse
119 Lamington St
New Farm QLD 4005
TIMES:
4.45pm – Registrations desk opens
5.15pm – 6.15pm – Q&A with Michael Rowe and Trish Lake
(including the opportunity for guests to ask Michael questions.)
From 6.15pm – networking drinks at ‘Bar Alto’, Brisbane Powerhouse. All guests will receive one standard drink. Appetizers hosted by Screen Queensland.
COST:
$15 per person