Roadshow Films’ family drama Red Dog continues its strong presence at the Australian box office, only falling to third position on the weekend, despite its sixth week at cinemas.
The feel-good film, based on the true story of a hitchhiking kelpie, took a further $1.2 million across 268 screens, giving it a screen average of $4665 – a reduction of 25 per cent on last week.
It has now grossed $14.7 million at the local box office and is set for a UK release this UK-winter through distributor G2 Pictures.
Australian feature Face To Face opened on eight screens on the weekend, posting a modest $24,019. Earning a screen average of $3002, the independently-financed film was directed by Michael Rymer (Queen of the Damned). The story focuses on Wayne (Luke Ford), a young construction worker who purposefully rams into the back of his boss’s (Vince Colosimo) jaguar after being sacked. Rather than dealing with the issue in a courtroom, a face-to-face restorative justice session takes place involving a diverse cast of characters with their own issues and secrets.
Rymer, who also adapted and produced the Australian Film Syndicate-distributed drama, intertwines the attempts at a resolution with dramatic flashbacks of various incidents.
The local film, which made its premiere at MIFF in July, also stars Sigrid Thornton (Seachange, Underbelly), Matthew Newton (Underbelly, Queen of the Damned) and Laura Gordon (Saw V).
Controversial black comedy The Guard, distributed by Paramount, posted a further $268,419 from 65 screens in its third week at the local box office. The UK limited release film has been a hit with worldwide audiences and has grossed $US11.2 million thus far, according to Box Office Mojo.
In mainstream releases, Zookeeper opened at number one, raking in $1.7 million from 252 screens. The Sony Pictures-distributed comedy stars Kevin James (who appeared at this year’s Australian International Movie Convention) in the lead role and features the voices of Adam Sandler, Cher and Sylvester Stallone.
Warner Bros’ black comedy Horrible Bosses placed second ($1.5 million across 337 screens), Red Dog third, The Help fourth ($1.9 million across 280 screens) and The Change-Up debuted at number five ($1.1 million).
The Eye of the Storm, directed by film veteran Fred Schepisi, who is set to direct $50 million WA-film The Drowner, opens this Thursday.
Australian films at the box office 2011
Source: IF, MPDAA