3 feature films are expected to generate almost $25 million in production investment for Screen Australia.
Kate Winslet and Judy Davis co-star in The Dressmaker, a flim that promises to be a gothic tale of love, revenge and haute couture set in the '50s outback Australia. Produced by Sue Maslin and directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse who recently directed the play Sex With Strangers for the Sydney Theatre Company, The Dressmaker is based on Rosalie Ham’s novel of the same title.
Rest Home is about the drama involved in crossing the line of infidelity in marriage and Sucker, directed by newcomer Ben Chessell is about an 18-year-old Chinese Australian on the cusp of adulthood learns about life and lies from an ageing conman, and about love from his daughter.
Screen Australia’s Head of Production Investment, Ross Matthews believes these three feature films have huge potential. “The Dressmaker is a distinctive and highly entertaining film from an experienced team and an A-list cast,’ he says.
“Director/writer Michael Rowe is well versed in bringing a unique auteur vision to his films, as his Cannes Caméra d'Or-winning film Leap Year (Año bisiesto) attests, and Rest Home also has the potential to be a break-out arthouse film with a long festival life.
“Sucker is a fresh and original film from a talented first-time feature director, which should attract a wide demographic.”
With the millions of dollars Screen Australia has invested, the government agency aims to support the creation of a diverse range of successful Australian films.
- Lauren Della Marta
