Monday, January 12, 2009

Director Pene Patrick coming to Port Fairy



Film director Pene Patrick will be a special guest at the Port Fairy Film Society pre-release screening of her new film Playing for Charlie on Friday 23rd January to launch their 2009 program.

Playing for Charlie enjoyed critical acclaim and sellout audiences at International Film Festivals in Rome, Melbourne and Sydney. Now Port Fairy will join London, Prague and Toronto on the 2009 circuit of this coming of age drama that explores the delicate relationship between a young mother and her teenage son after the recent death of his father.

Newcomer Jared Daperis (whom Inside Film dubbed “the new Mel Gibson”) plays Tony, at 16 the man of the house caring for mum Paula, who has Multiple Sclerosis. Tony’s first true love is football – paradoxically for a film set in Werribee, it’s rugby union – but the barriers to him ‘making it’ seem too great. He is forced to make a decision that will impact the rest of his life.

Debutant director Pene Patrick has crafted an emotional tale with a terrific cast and crew, including Oscar-nominated composer Lisa Gerrard.

“Confirmation of a cinema that is independent, courageous, profound, powerful, determined to trace its own path amongst an audience that is in contunuous flux," said Gianluca Giannelli Savastano of Rome International Film Festival.

“It's a story of courage and heart, with a very unique hero at the centre,” said Dale Sinden of 2UE.

“The Joe-Paula relationship and big-game finale are handled in a nicely understated way,” wrote Boyd Van Hoeij in Variety. ”(The) score by Lisa Gerrard (Gladiator) is wonderfully atmospheric.”

Playing for Charlie screens at 7.30pm followed by a rare chance to discuss the film with the director Pene Patrick.

Anyone can be a member of the Port Fairy Film Society. Well-priced memberships for its monthly screenings (choose from three-month or annual) are available at the door before each screening. Visitors can come to one session per year before taking out a membership. Port Fairy is one of the most successful film societies in Australia. Its 2009 program promises once again to bring the best of contemporary world cinema to the district.