The struggle to find oneself — and one’s chosen family — hits hard in the trailer for “Lonesome,” the latest film from Australian writer-director Craig Boreham, which hits theaters in the U.S. Feb. 17 followed by on-demand and digital release on March 7.
Watch the trailer above, exclusively via TheWrap.
Starring Josh Lavery, Daniel Gabriel, Anni Finsterer, and Ian Roberts, “Lonesome” is a LGBTQ drama telling the story of Casey, a kid from a small town who moves to Sydney to escape a personal scandal. There, he meets Tib, another young gay man dealing with his own scars. Together, per the official description, “both men find something they have been missing but neither of them knows quite how to negotiate it.”
You get glimpses of that in the trailer, from tentative first meetings to awkward — but refreshingly nonjudgmental — encounters with modern sexual and romantic conventions, and a variety of people nursing their...
Watch the trailer above, exclusively via TheWrap.
Starring Josh Lavery, Daniel Gabriel, Anni Finsterer, and Ian Roberts, “Lonesome” is a LGBTQ drama telling the story of Casey, a kid from a small town who moves to Sydney to escape a personal scandal. There, he meets Tib, another young gay man dealing with his own scars. Together, per the official description, “both men find something they have been missing but neither of them knows quite how to negotiate it.”
You get glimpses of that in the trailer, from tentative first meetings to awkward — but refreshingly nonjudgmental — encounters with modern sexual and romantic conventions, and a variety of people nursing their...
- 1/17/2023
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Dark Star Pictures has acquired distribution rights in North America for Australian gay love story “Lonesome,” directed by Craig Boreham. Following its world premiere at the Seattle Intl. Film Festival in April, San Francisco’s Frameline Film Festival will present the film on June 20. The film is also screening at the Guadalajara Intl. Film Festival, which runs June 10-18.
The deal was made with Berlin-based sales outfit M-Appeal, which has already secured distribution for the film in the U.K. and Ireland (Peccadillo Pictures), France (Optimale Distribution), multi-territory Europe (Cinemien/OUTtv Europe), and Poland (Tongariro Releasing).
Sydney-based Boreham was described by The Guardian newspaper as “a strong new voice in Australian Queer cinema” following the premiere of his debut feature film “Teenage Kicks” at the Sydney Film Festival in 2016.
“Lonesome” follows Casey, a country boy, who finds himself down and out in Sydney. When he meets Tib, a street-smart city...
The deal was made with Berlin-based sales outfit M-Appeal, which has already secured distribution for the film in the U.K. and Ireland (Peccadillo Pictures), France (Optimale Distribution), multi-territory Europe (Cinemien/OUTtv Europe), and Poland (Tongariro Releasing).
Sydney-based Boreham was described by The Guardian newspaper as “a strong new voice in Australian Queer cinema” following the premiere of his debut feature film “Teenage Kicks” at the Sydney Film Festival in 2016.
“Lonesome” follows Casey, a country boy, who finds himself down and out in Sydney. When he meets Tib, a street-smart city...
- 6/15/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Bored with the regurgitated, repurposed urban legends of our time, Hugo Award-winning fiction editor Ann Vandermeer sought to create a bestiary that would once again delight and intrigued minds with superbly fanciful creatures. Vandermeer brought together some of the most respected fantasists from around the world including Karen Lord, Dexter Palmer, Brian Evenson, Felix Gilman, and Rikki Ducornet to contribute a bizarre beast. The end result is a beautifully illustrated compendium of fantastical creatures that could only be imagined into life by equally fantastical minds. I found myself pouring over the pages of The Bestiary as I poured over the pages of my Greek or Egyptian mythologies books as a child. Each story pulls you in with detailed descriptions and “eye-witness accounts” that are so well written, you almost forget the creatures are made-up. And Serbian illustrator Ivica Stevanovic compliments the text with her strange, yet alluring images of each beastie.
- 3/29/2016
- by Caroline Stephenson
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
When Matt Levett was nominated for this year.s Heath Ledger Scholarship along with 17 other rising talents, the actor didn.t fancy his chances amongst what he described as a .an intimidating. line-up.
So he was both stunned and stoked to win the award presented on Monday night Us time in Los Angeles.
The 2009 Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts (Waapa) graduate says the $US10,000 cash prize will enable him to further his ambitions in Hollywood.
.It will give me the ability to stay longer and give me a foot in the door,. says Levett, who first went to the Us last September/October, when he signed with the Gersh Agency. The runners-up are fellow Waapa graduate Emilie Cocquerel and Lily Sullivan, who each get a round-trip ticket to Los Angeles and a scholarship to attend Masterclasses at Screenwise Film & TV School for actors in Sydney.
On behalf of the judges,...
So he was both stunned and stoked to win the award presented on Monday night Us time in Los Angeles.
The 2009 Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts (Waapa) graduate says the $US10,000 cash prize will enable him to further his ambitions in Hollywood.
.It will give me the ability to stay longer and give me a foot in the door,. says Levett, who first went to the Us last September/October, when he signed with the Gersh Agency. The runners-up are fellow Waapa graduate Emilie Cocquerel and Lily Sullivan, who each get a round-trip ticket to Los Angeles and a scholarship to attend Masterclasses at Screenwise Film & TV School for actors in Sydney.
On behalf of the judges,...
- 6/2/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: Us, UK, France, Germany deals for Lgbt sports drama.
Newly revamped UK sales outfit Starline Entertainment – which recently merged with High Point - has finalised a slew of deals on Australian Lgbt sports drama Drown by Dean Francis, including to North America, UK, Germany, France, Poland and Benelux.
Centred around a surfing champion whose unexpected and confusing feelings towards a gay rival push him to the edge of sanity, the film has been scooped by Strand Releasing for all North America rights.
All rights have also gone to Germany (Salzbeger Entertainment), France (Epicentre), the UK (Peccadillo Pictures) and Benelux (ABC Distribution Rights). In Poland, Tongariro has picked up theatrical, VOD and DVD.
The film received its premiere at the Mardi Gras Film Festival in Sydney and went on to pick up the audience award for most popular feature at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival.
Leap Frog Films are handling the Australian release.
“We’re continuing...
Newly revamped UK sales outfit Starline Entertainment – which recently merged with High Point - has finalised a slew of deals on Australian Lgbt sports drama Drown by Dean Francis, including to North America, UK, Germany, France, Poland and Benelux.
Centred around a surfing champion whose unexpected and confusing feelings towards a gay rival push him to the edge of sanity, the film has been scooped by Strand Releasing for all North America rights.
All rights have also gone to Germany (Salzbeger Entertainment), France (Epicentre), the UK (Peccadillo Pictures) and Benelux (ABC Distribution Rights). In Poland, Tongariro has picked up theatrical, VOD and DVD.
The film received its premiere at the Mardi Gras Film Festival in Sydney and went on to pick up the audience award for most popular feature at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival.
Leap Frog Films are handling the Australian release.
“We’re continuing...
- 4/21/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Us, UK, France, Germany deals for Lgbt sports drama.
Newly revamped UK sales outfit Starline Entertainment – which recently merged with High Point - has finalised a slew of deals on Australian Lgbt sports drama Drown by Dean Francis, including to North America, UK, Germany, France, Poland and Benelux.
Centred around a surfing champion whose unexpected and confusing feelings towards a gay rival push him to the edge of sanity, the film has been scooped by Strand Releasing for all North America rights.
All rights have also gone to Germany (Salzbeger Entertainment), France (Epicentre), the UK (Peccadillo Pictures) and Benelux (ABC Distribution Rights). In Poland, Tongariro has picked up theatrical, VOD and DVD.
The film received its premiere at the Mardi Gras Film Festival in Sydney and went on to pick up the audience award for most popular feature at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival.
Leap Frog Films are handling the Australian release.
“We’re continuing...
Newly revamped UK sales outfit Starline Entertainment – which recently merged with High Point - has finalised a slew of deals on Australian Lgbt sports drama Drown by Dean Francis, including to North America, UK, Germany, France, Poland and Benelux.
Centred around a surfing champion whose unexpected and confusing feelings towards a gay rival push him to the edge of sanity, the film has been scooped by Strand Releasing for all North America rights.
All rights have also gone to Germany (Salzbeger Entertainment), France (Epicentre), the UK (Peccadillo Pictures) and Benelux (ABC Distribution Rights). In Poland, Tongariro has picked up theatrical, VOD and DVD.
The film received its premiere at the Mardi Gras Film Festival in Sydney and went on to pick up the audience award for most popular feature at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival.
Leap Frog Films are handling the Australian release.
“We’re continuing...
- 4/21/2015
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Producer Janice Eymann is teaming with Full Clip Productions. Sam Worthington, John Schwarz and Michael Schwarz for an action TV series based on the Primal novels.
The books by Jack Silkstone (a nom de plume) follow a team of elite operatives recruited by a Pacific island-based Arab billionaire who is determined to bring peace to the world.
Each novel sees the agency waging a secret war against powerful criminals, greedy corporations and corrupt politicians, stepping in where governments fail.
Eymann (who was executive producer of Jon Amiel.s Creation) contacted. 'Silkstone' and bought an option on the novels. Then she approached John Schwarz, who met with the producer and the author in Adelaide during the production of Deadline: Gallipoli, which Full Clip produced by Matchbox Pictures.
Full Clip has agreed to co-buy the option and to produce the series, with John Schwarz as the lead producer.
She tells If she...
The books by Jack Silkstone (a nom de plume) follow a team of elite operatives recruited by a Pacific island-based Arab billionaire who is determined to bring peace to the world.
Each novel sees the agency waging a secret war against powerful criminals, greedy corporations and corrupt politicians, stepping in where governments fail.
Eymann (who was executive producer of Jon Amiel.s Creation) contacted. 'Silkstone' and bought an option on the novels. Then she approached John Schwarz, who met with the producer and the author in Adelaide during the production of Deadline: Gallipoli, which Full Clip produced by Matchbox Pictures.
Full Clip has agreed to co-buy the option and to produce the series, with John Schwarz as the lead producer.
She tells If she...
- 1/13/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Distributors in the Us, UK and Germany have bought Drown, an Australian drama which its director Dean Francis describes as confronting and controversial. Adapted from Stephen Davis. play which prompted walk outs when it was staged by the Queensland Theatre Company, the film centres on three surf lifesavers whose big night out is marred by jealousy, homophobic fears, unrequited lust and violence.
The night culminates in a tragic, booze-fuelled episode of bullying. There is a graphic gay sex scene, says Francis, who does not want to speculate on the likely film classification.
The international sales agent, London-based High Point Films & TV, showed a work-in-progress to potential buyers at the Cannes Film Market.
German distributor Salzgeber quickly signed a deal and is planning a national cinema release. Subsequently Strand Releasing bought the rights for the Us, where it will have a niche theatrical release, and Peccadillo Pictures, which specialises in art house,...
The night culminates in a tragic, booze-fuelled episode of bullying. There is a graphic gay sex scene, says Francis, who does not want to speculate on the likely film classification.
The international sales agent, London-based High Point Films & TV, showed a work-in-progress to potential buyers at the Cannes Film Market.
German distributor Salzgeber quickly signed a deal and is planning a national cinema release. Subsequently Strand Releasing bought the rights for the Us, where it will have a niche theatrical release, and Peccadillo Pictures, which specialises in art house,...
- 7/16/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Boxing drama depicts the falling out between Barry McGuigan and his manager Barney Eastwood in the 1980s.
UK sales outfit High Point’s Cannes slate includes new boxing drama Thank You Very Much Mr Eastwood, depicting the falling out between world boxing champion Barry McGuigan and his larger than life manager Barney Eastwood in the 1980s.
Currently casting, the film will be directed by Michael McDowell and produced by Damon Quinn of Belfast based Hole in the Wall Gang and Ronald de Neef for Starline Entertainment.
High Point’s slate also includes Drown, Dean Francis’s portrayal of homophobia in the macho environs of a Sydney based lifesaver club, and rom-com Heart Street.
UK sales outfit High Point’s Cannes slate includes new boxing drama Thank You Very Much Mr Eastwood, depicting the falling out between world boxing champion Barry McGuigan and his larger than life manager Barney Eastwood in the 1980s.
Currently casting, the film will be directed by Michael McDowell and produced by Damon Quinn of Belfast based Hole in the Wall Gang and Ronald de Neef for Starline Entertainment.
High Point’s slate also includes Drown, Dean Francis’s portrayal of homophobia in the macho environs of a Sydney based lifesaver club, and rom-com Heart Street.
- 5/15/2014
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
Daniel Feuerriegel (Spartacus: Blood and Sand) is attached to play the lead in Mayday Hill, an Australian horror/thriller inspired by true events.
The film will be shot at the former Beechworth Lunatic Asylum in Victoria, a notorious institution known as Mayday Hills to the locals. The asylum, which was the site of deaths, abuse and gruesome medical treatment, closed in 1995 after operating for 128 years.
The screenplay by Matthew Barker centres on a couple (Daniel and an actress who is now in negotiation) who visit the location and are confronted by the horrors of the past.
Director Dean Francis, who made his feature debut with 2010.s Road Train, told If the film melds true events with demonology and medical malpractice.. "It ties in with the gentrification of institutions into apartments, which hide a dark history," he said.
The producers are Janice Eymann (executive producer of Jon Amiel.s Creation), who brought the project to Francis,...
The film will be shot at the former Beechworth Lunatic Asylum in Victoria, a notorious institution known as Mayday Hills to the locals. The asylum, which was the site of deaths, abuse and gruesome medical treatment, closed in 1995 after operating for 128 years.
The screenplay by Matthew Barker centres on a couple (Daniel and an actress who is now in negotiation) who visit the location and are confronted by the horrors of the past.
Director Dean Francis, who made his feature debut with 2010.s Road Train, told If the film melds true events with demonology and medical malpractice.. "It ties in with the gentrification of institutions into apartments, which hide a dark history," he said.
The producers are Janice Eymann (executive producer of Jon Amiel.s Creation), who brought the project to Francis,...
- 3/25/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: Dean Francis’ Australian feature now in post.
London-based High Point Films & TV has boarded world sales for Australian feature Drown, now in post production.
Dean Francis (Road Train) directs the story, which Stephen Davis adapted from his own stage play.
Francis and Davis produce for jj splice.
The film is set against the surfing scene in Sydney, when a lifesaver is driven to an act of homophobic bullying.
Francis said: ”Drown is for me a personal and highly emotional story. I wanted to explore taboos about masculinity in a relatable way and unpack some of the assumptions that create such widespread conflict in almost every community. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with High Point to bring this timely story to audiences.”
High Point director of acquisitions Piers Nightingale, who negotiated the deal with Davis and Francis, added: “Drown stands out as a compelling exploration into the dark side of contemporary masculinity and emerging sexuality, while...
London-based High Point Films & TV has boarded world sales for Australian feature Drown, now in post production.
Dean Francis (Road Train) directs the story, which Stephen Davis adapted from his own stage play.
Francis and Davis produce for jj splice.
The film is set against the surfing scene in Sydney, when a lifesaver is driven to an act of homophobic bullying.
Francis said: ”Drown is for me a personal and highly emotional story. I wanted to explore taboos about masculinity in a relatable way and unpack some of the assumptions that create such widespread conflict in almost every community. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with High Point to bring this timely story to audiences.”
High Point director of acquisitions Piers Nightingale, who negotiated the deal with Davis and Francis, added: “Drown stands out as a compelling exploration into the dark side of contemporary masculinity and emerging sexuality, while...
- 9/6/2013
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Local feature film Drown has cast Matt Levett in the lead role and has launched an online crowd-funding campaign.
The low-budget film, which will tackle themes of bullying and homophobia, aims to raise $100,000 in 65 days via Indiegogo.
Levett is currently working on upcoming Seven Network drama, A Place To Call Home, and has previously appeared in Winners & Losers, All Saints, Home and Away, Rescue Special Ops, Two Twisted and as a series regular on ABC.s third season of Bed of Roses.
He will play lead character Len in Drown, which follows three lifesavers on a big night out when jealousy, homophobic fears and unrequited lust culminate in a tragic booze-fueled episode of bullying.
Other roles will be cast shortly through Maura Fay Casting.
Drown is being directed by local filmmaker Dean Francis and is based on a play by Stephen Davis. Francis made his feature film debut with Road Train...
The low-budget film, which will tackle themes of bullying and homophobia, aims to raise $100,000 in 65 days via Indiegogo.
Levett is currently working on upcoming Seven Network drama, A Place To Call Home, and has previously appeared in Winners & Losers, All Saints, Home and Away, Rescue Special Ops, Two Twisted and as a series regular on ABC.s third season of Bed of Roses.
He will play lead character Len in Drown, which follows three lifesavers on a big night out when jealousy, homophobic fears and unrequited lust culminate in a tragic booze-fueled episode of bullying.
Other roles will be cast shortly through Maura Fay Casting.
Drown is being directed by local filmmaker Dean Francis and is based on a play by Stephen Davis. Francis made his feature film debut with Road Train...
- 8/31/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
Community TV channel Aurora, which this week received a tributary poem from an American who confused the name of the station with the Colorado town were shootings took place last week, has entered a content sharing deal with Community Channel in the UK.
The announcement:
25th July, 2012: In a first for Australia’s leading not-for-profit
subscription community TV Channel - Aurora - has joined forces with the
Community Channel (UK), in a sharing agreement allowing each channel to
screen each other’s content.
Aurora CEO Phyllisse Stanton says: “This is a wonderful opportunity for
Aurora to showcase Australian community content on an international stage.
We are enormously proud to see our very own production, Chatterbox,
available to British audiences on the Community Channel (UK). This is a
terrific partnership with a likeminded organisation that holds similar
values and objectives. In the coming months and years we hope to share...
The announcement:
25th July, 2012: In a first for Australia’s leading not-for-profit
subscription community TV Channel - Aurora - has joined forces with the
Community Channel (UK), in a sharing agreement allowing each channel to
screen each other’s content.
Aurora CEO Phyllisse Stanton says: “This is a wonderful opportunity for
Aurora to showcase Australian community content on an international stage.
We are enormously proud to see our very own production, Chatterbox,
available to British audiences on the Community Channel (UK). This is a
terrific partnership with a likeminded organisation that holds similar
values and objectives. In the coming months and years we hope to share...
- 7/26/2012
- by Robin Hicks
- Encore Magazine
Director Dean Francis is set to return to the big screen with new feature film Drown.
The story, based on a play by Stephen Davis, follows three lifesavers on a big night out when jealousy, homophobic fears and unrequited lust culminate in a tragic booze-fueled episode of bullying.
"It's a really important story to tell because it deals with homophobia and bullying and as a filmmaker it's a return to the more confrontational style of filmmaking I was known for in film school," Francis said.
Francis made his feature film debut with stylish teen-horror Road Train (retitled Road Kill for the Us release) in 2010. He has also directed over a dozen short films that have had more than a hundred film festival screenings while his 2006 short film Vermin was nominated for an Australian Directors Guild Award. Another of his short films, Boys Grammar, has previously touched on the themes that will be explored in Drown.
The story, based on a play by Stephen Davis, follows three lifesavers on a big night out when jealousy, homophobic fears and unrequited lust culminate in a tragic booze-fueled episode of bullying.
"It's a really important story to tell because it deals with homophobia and bullying and as a filmmaker it's a return to the more confrontational style of filmmaking I was known for in film school," Francis said.
Francis made his feature film debut with stylish teen-horror Road Train (retitled Road Kill for the Us release) in 2010. He has also directed over a dozen short films that have had more than a hundred film festival screenings while his 2006 short film Vermin was nominated for an Australian Directors Guild Award. Another of his short films, Boys Grammar, has previously touched on the themes that will be explored in Drown.
- 7/3/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
After a couple of light on horror weeks, we are finally treated to a bumper crop of new releases. Headlining the week is Frozen, which is just what we in Southern California need to stave off our current heat wave. A couple of oldies but goodies are out, too, as Madman celebrates its Happy 30th Birthday and the original King Kong comes to Blu-ray. Fangoria's eight FrightFest titles bow as well.
Frozen
Directed by Adam Green
In Frozen (review), Adam Green has crafted a potent combination of absolute terror and compelling human drama that will stick with you long after you've left the theatre or turned off the DVD. One thing's for sure: The next time your friends invite you on a ski weekend, odds are you'll try to convince them to head to the beach instead. Frozen stars Shawn Ashmore, Emma Bell and Kevin Zegers.
Buy the Blu-ray or the regular DVD.
Frozen
Directed by Adam Green
In Frozen (review), Adam Green has crafted a potent combination of absolute terror and compelling human drama that will stick with you long after you've left the theatre or turned off the DVD. One thing's for sure: The next time your friends invite you on a ski weekend, odds are you'll try to convince them to head to the beach instead. Frozen stars Shawn Ashmore, Emma Bell and Kevin Zegers.
Buy the Blu-ray or the regular DVD.
- 9/28/2010
- by kwlow
- DreadCentral.com
Dark House Poster
The 2010 Fangoria Frightfest film entries are moving to DVD this week through Phase 4. This series released in Canada September 21st and the Us release is scheduled for September 28th. Films included: mysterious thriller The Tomb, the suspenseful The Haunting, the goreific Pig Hunt, the dismal Hunger, the disturbing Grimm Love, the original Road Kill, shocker Fragile and this year's winner of the event Dark House. This film festival competition was successful because of fan support and horror enthusiasts can have a look at the DVD special features for each of the titles listed here inside.
Dark House
Director: Darin Scott.
Producer: Mark Sonoda.
Cast: Jeffrey Combs (House on Haunted Hill), Meghan Ory (John Tucker Must Die), and Diane Salinger .
The synopsis for Dark House:
"A group of hot young drama students are recruited to work in a new 'haunted house' attraction by flamboyant, impresario Walston Rey...
The 2010 Fangoria Frightfest film entries are moving to DVD this week through Phase 4. This series released in Canada September 21st and the Us release is scheduled for September 28th. Films included: mysterious thriller The Tomb, the suspenseful The Haunting, the goreific Pig Hunt, the dismal Hunger, the disturbing Grimm Love, the original Road Kill, shocker Fragile and this year's winner of the event Dark House. This film festival competition was successful because of fan support and horror enthusiasts can have a look at the DVD special features for each of the titles listed here inside.
Dark House
Director: Darin Scott.
Producer: Mark Sonoda.
Cast: Jeffrey Combs (House on Haunted Hill), Meghan Ory (John Tucker Must Die), and Diane Salinger .
The synopsis for Dark House:
"A group of hot young drama students are recruited to work in a new 'haunted house' attraction by flamboyant, impresario Walston Rey...
- 9/26/2010
- by 28DaysLaterAnalysis@gmail.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Starring Xavier Samuel, Sophie Lowe, Bob Morley Georgina Haig Directed by Dean Francis Starring Xavier Samuel ("Twilight: Eclipse") "Road Train" channels the best of the road trip Horror genre, "The Hitcher", "Joy Ride" and "Duel", producing Hell on Wheels, Australian style. Extras: tbc Tech specs: Cert: 15 / Feature Running Time: mins approx / Region 2 Feature Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 / Colour Pal / Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 / English language / Cat No: OPTD1866 / Rrp: £15.99...
- 9/2/2010
- www.ohmygore.com/
The 11th annual Melbourne Underground Film Festival wrapped on Aug. 29 with a secret, illegal screening of Bruce Labruce‘s gay porn zombie epic L.A. Zombie, which would win Labruce the Best Foreign Director Award.
The big winner this year, though was the debut feature film — and the official closing night film of Muff — by Joseph Sims, Bad Behavior. Although Stuart Simpson‘s El Monstro Del Mar! won the Best Film award, Bad Behavior took home six awards total, including Best Director, Best Male Actor, Best Screenplay and more. The film is a splatter movie about a group of teenagers running afoul of psychopaths. Australia’s The Age newspaper also recently profiled Sims.
Other Australian films taking home awards were Dominic Deacon‘s Burlesque winning Best Guerrilla Film, Road Train by Dean Francis taking the Special Jury Prize and Lanfranchi’s Memorial Discotheque by Richard Baron winning Best Documentary.
American films in addition to L.
The big winner this year, though was the debut feature film — and the official closing night film of Muff — by Joseph Sims, Bad Behavior. Although Stuart Simpson‘s El Monstro Del Mar! won the Best Film award, Bad Behavior took home six awards total, including Best Director, Best Male Actor, Best Screenplay and more. The film is a splatter movie about a group of teenagers running afoul of psychopaths. Australia’s The Age newspaper also recently profiled Sims.
Other Australian films taking home awards were Dominic Deacon‘s Burlesque winning Best Guerrilla Film, Road Train by Dean Francis taking the Special Jury Prize and Lanfranchi’s Memorial Discotheque by Richard Baron winning Best Documentary.
American films in addition to L.
- 9/1/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
The Melbourne Underground Film Festival returns to terrorize Australia with a selection of outrageous genre films for its 11th annual edition that will be held on Aug. 20-28.
For years now, Muff Festival director Richard Wolstencroft has been bemoaning the state of Australian cinema — and rightfully so — for abandoning its history of popular genre entertainment and settling for a state-sponsored industry of wussy indie fare. Well, looking over this year’s Muff schedule from a distance, it appears that the fest has gathered its most impressive lineup of bold and risky genre fare yet.
There’s the deep sea terror of Stuart Simpson’s El monstro del mar!, the outback nightmare of Road Train by Dean Francis, the Bdsm fantasy world of David King’s Purge, the chaotically violent world of Bad Behavior by Joseph Sims, the sexy and disturbing Burlesque by Dominic Deacon; plus Richard Wolstencroft’s own documentary...
For years now, Muff Festival director Richard Wolstencroft has been bemoaning the state of Australian cinema — and rightfully so — for abandoning its history of popular genre entertainment and settling for a state-sponsored industry of wussy indie fare. Well, looking over this year’s Muff schedule from a distance, it appears that the fest has gathered its most impressive lineup of bold and risky genre fare yet.
There’s the deep sea terror of Stuart Simpson’s El monstro del mar!, the outback nightmare of Road Train by Dean Francis, the Bdsm fantasy world of David King’s Purge, the chaotically violent world of Bad Behavior by Joseph Sims, the sexy and disturbing Burlesque by Dominic Deacon; plus Richard Wolstencroft’s own documentary...
- 8/16/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Over the last year we’ve been following Dean Francis’s Australian, supernatural horror Road Train (aka Road Kill) more than a little interest, so its great news that this promising little road trip frightener will be dropping onto R1 DVD! We can’t say we’re quite so excited about the DVD’s so-so artwork, but at least with the Fangoria name tag “subtly” splashed over the front cover, it should hopefully help to draw in a wider crowd to see it. Road Kill hits the streets September 28th. Synopsis: Four young friends on a camping adventure are run off the road by an erratically driven road train - a massive three-trailer truck. With their own vehicle wrecked and the road train stopped, the friends march off to vent their anger at the driver. But the truck is empty. Suddenly, the silence is broken by the sound of gunshots.
- 7/20/2010
- 24framespersecond.net
Dean Francis' Road Train (aka Road Kill in the Us) is terrible. Let's get that out of the way first; it's an awful, awful film, devoid of anything but the most basic instinctive scares and with a cast who simply cannot act well enough to sell the material on any level. The only parts that make it worth watching in any sense are those that suggest what sort of movie the director hoped to make and some kind of explanation as to how things went so horribly wrong.
While Francis gives every intimation he nurtures ambitions of producing something more meaningful, Road Train follows a pretty standard template; four young Australians (two couples) go for a trip across the vast expanses of the outback, meet a road train (an articulated container truck) that runs them off the highway, steal it from the driver in place of their own wrecked car,...
While Francis gives every intimation he nurtures ambitions of producing something more meaningful, Road Train follows a pretty standard template; four young Australians (two couples) go for a trip across the vast expanses of the outback, meet a road train (an articulated container truck) that runs them off the highway, steal it from the driver in place of their own wrecked car,...
- 7/20/2010
- Screen Anarchy
The competition at the Fangoria FrightFest website is well underway (go here to vote and decide which of our eight films will win a theatrical release), and one of the films seeking your vote is director Dean Francis’ Outback thriller Road Kill. The Aussie flick boasts the presence of actor Xavier Samuel, currently steaming up screens in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. See below the jump for a clip of Samuel (whose The Loved Ones will also screen at Montreal’s Fantasia film fest this month) and co-star Georgina Haig from Road Kill.
- 7/7/2010
- by samueldzimmerman@gmail.com (FANGORIA Staff)
- Fangoria
The team behind the upcoming release Road Kill (formerly known as Road Train ) has alerted us to this clip. The film is one of eight titles coming from the new Fangoria Frightfest label, Lightning Entertainment is handling distribution and you can check out pics, a trailer and cover art in our database . Road Kill - Clip 4 from Dean Francis on Vimeo .
- 7/7/2010
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Road Kill Movie Poster
Director: Dean Francis.
Writer: Clive Hopkins.
Vehicles have been a part of horror cinema in many shapes and forms since Stephen King's Christine, and Maximum Overdrive in the '80's; the genre was explored earlier in 1971 with Steven Spielberg's first feature film the Duel (Prone). Now, Australia gets in to the vehicular mayhem with a Lightning Entertainment release entitled Road Train, or for North American fans Road Kill. Road Kill is currently vying for a Fangoria Frightfest theatrical release with Blockbuster distributing the film on video-on-demand August 6th. The film builds intensity through the inclusion of a double and even triple threat, as the barren land, murderous characters, and a possessed semi-truck hinder the characters hold on life. The mystery of what motivates the eighteen wheeler is what will hook most audiences, with a tacked on ending offering some late confusion.
Clive Hopkins'...
Director: Dean Francis.
Writer: Clive Hopkins.
Vehicles have been a part of horror cinema in many shapes and forms since Stephen King's Christine, and Maximum Overdrive in the '80's; the genre was explored earlier in 1971 with Steven Spielberg's first feature film the Duel (Prone). Now, Australia gets in to the vehicular mayhem with a Lightning Entertainment release entitled Road Train, or for North American fans Road Kill. Road Kill is currently vying for a Fangoria Frightfest theatrical release with Blockbuster distributing the film on video-on-demand August 6th. The film builds intensity through the inclusion of a double and even triple threat, as the barren land, murderous characters, and a possessed semi-truck hinder the characters hold on life. The mystery of what motivates the eighteen wheeler is what will hook most audiences, with a tacked on ending offering some late confusion.
Clive Hopkins'...
- 7/5/2010
- by 28DaysLaterAnalysis@gmail.com (Michael Ross Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
While I haven't seen Dean Francis' Road Train (aka Road Kill), I'm shocked to see this level of output from someone doing horror. This short, presented below in full, looks utterly brilliant and makes me want to hand this man artistic freedom to make real film, unfettered by the film industry. Someone get this dude going, stat!
In a city overrun by feral cats, an exterminator encounters a strange feral boy and becomes caught up in a struggle to save him from the fate of the hunted animal. As the exterminator's obsession with cat boy sets in, he uncovers his own animalistic urges and finds it increasingly difficult to maintain his position on the food chain.
Full short after the break... somewhat Nsfw.
Embedded video stripped, see full HTML version.
In a city overrun by feral cats, an exterminator encounters a strange feral boy and becomes caught up in a struggle to save him from the fate of the hunted animal. As the exterminator's obsession with cat boy sets in, he uncovers his own animalistic urges and finds it increasingly difficult to maintain his position on the food chain.
Full short after the break... somewhat Nsfw.
Embedded video stripped, see full HTML version.
- 6/14/2010
- QuietEarth.us
Lightning Entertainment picked up the Australian road movie Road Train back in 2009; now, this distribution company has renamed the film Road Kill for North American audiences and released a second trailer for the film, which shows the truck's deadly cargo. This feature will be a part of the Fangoria Frightfest along with several other films beginning in June of this year and Frightfest includes Pig Hunt, Fragile, Grimm Love, Dark House, Hunger, The Haunting, and The Tomb. Have a look at the latest for Road Kill with this clip in which more of the film's gruesome stylings are displayed.
The synopsis for Road Kill here:
"Four young friends on a camping adventure in outback Australia are run off the road by an erratically driven road train - a massive three-trailer truck. With their own vehicle wrecked, and the road train stopped, the friends march off to remonstrate with the drivers.
The synopsis for Road Kill here:
"Four young friends on a camping adventure in outback Australia are run off the road by an erratically driven road train - a massive three-trailer truck. With their own vehicle wrecked, and the road train stopped, the friends march off to remonstrate with the drivers.
- 5/27/2010
- by 28DaysLaterAnalysis@gmail.com (Michael Ross Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Australian horror thriller 'Road Train' will be one of the 8 new flicks to be screened at the Fangoria FrightFest. And as part of the deal it wil be distributed in 3,500 Blockbuster video outlets across the United States as well as VOD, online and could even make it to theatres stateside too. Although it will get a title change to 'Road Kill'. What it may become when it hits UK shores is anyones guess. As 'Road Kill' was already the alternative title for 2001's 'Joy Ride' starring Paul Walker and Steve Zahn. 'Road Train' stars Xavier Samuel ('The Twilight Saga: Eclipse') and Sophie Lowe ('Beautiful Kate') and is the debut feature from helmer Dean Francis. It's a supernatural thriller that tells the story of four teenagers who are menaced by a gaint, malevolent truck in the Australian outback. Francis has stated, 'Its huge...
- 5/27/2010
- Horror Asylum
The latest Aussie thriller from Prodigy Movies, Road Train aka Road Kill, has been picked up for distribution here in the States via Lightning Entertainment to be part of the Fangoria FrightFest, and we've got a still and the trailer to scare up some interest.
FrightFest was spawned from a partnership with Lightning Media and Fangoria to distribute independent horror films via DVD, Video on Demand, and Digital Download. Joining Road Kill will be such titles as Pig Hunt, Fragile, Grimm Love, Dark House, Hunger, The Haunting, and The Tomb.
From the Press Release
Road Train, the debut feature film of director Dean Francis, will be released in the USA under the title Road Kill after scoring a massive Us release with the genre-film juggernaut Fangoria.
Fangoria, in partnership with distributor Lightning Media, will begin a unique, multi-tiered film distribution program called Fangoria FrightFest. This exclusive series will consist of eight new feature films,...
FrightFest was spawned from a partnership with Lightning Media and Fangoria to distribute independent horror films via DVD, Video on Demand, and Digital Download. Joining Road Kill will be such titles as Pig Hunt, Fragile, Grimm Love, Dark House, Hunger, The Haunting, and The Tomb.
From the Press Release
Road Train, the debut feature film of director Dean Francis, will be released in the USA under the title Road Kill after scoring a massive Us release with the genre-film juggernaut Fangoria.
Fangoria, in partnership with distributor Lightning Media, will begin a unique, multi-tiered film distribution program called Fangoria FrightFest. This exclusive series will consist of eight new feature films,...
- 5/27/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
The Dungog Film Festival starts tomorrow, and according to director Allanah Zitserman, this is the year it will incorporate television into its program, at a much deeper level.
“There’s a lot more room for cross-pollination between film and TV in this country, and we want to encourage it and get both sides talking and discussing ways in which we can work together more,” Zitserman told Encore.
“It’s a great amount of talent in both industries, so let’s bring them together. We will be showing unaired TV pilots and we’ll have two live script readings for television projects.
“We’re working with all the broadcasters this year, both free-to-air and pay TV. Many television executives have already confirmed their attendance this year, and I will be working with the industry on how best to incorporate the TV aspects over the next few years,” said Zitserman.
In addition to the new TV content,...
“There’s a lot more room for cross-pollination between film and TV in this country, and we want to encourage it and get both sides talking and discussing ways in which we can work together more,” Zitserman told Encore.
“It’s a great amount of talent in both industries, so let’s bring them together. We will be showing unaired TV pilots and we’ll have two live script readings for television projects.
“We’re working with all the broadcasters this year, both free-to-air and pay TV. Many television executives have already confirmed their attendance this year, and I will be working with the industry on how best to incorporate the TV aspects over the next few years,” said Zitserman.
In addition to the new TV content,...
- 5/26/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Aha! The question of just how they’ll be marketing Dean Francis’s Australian supernatural horror Road Train to a U.S audience (most of which probably would'nt recognise what a “Road Train” is) the has been answered, with the appearance of some early promo art for the American release. The flick is to get a - minimal but quite effective, and for once sympathetic - name change to Road Kill. Starring Xavier Samuel, Bob Morley Georgina Haig and Sophie Lowe, the movie is set to open later this year. Links to a trailer, plus a new making of video below. Synopsis: Four young friends on a camping adventure in outback Australia are run off the road by a mystery road train - a massive three-trailer truck. With their own 4x4 wrecked and the road train stopped, the friends march off to remonstrate with the driver. But there is no one to be found.
- 5/16/2010
- 24framespersecond.net
Cool news from the cool people over at Fangoria: this summer they will be distributing eight horror films in a multi-platform program with the label "FrightFest". Through partnering with Lightning Media these films will be made available on DVD, Video-On-Demand and Digital Download.
Even more cool: on the FrightFest website readers can vote which of these films should get a theatrical release in July. Right now the site just shows the selected titles but trailers, clips and featurettes should follow soon.
And the titles are not to be sneezed at: James Isaac's "Pig Hunt", Jaume Balagueró's "Fragile", Steven Hentges' "Hunger", Dean Francis' "Road Train", Darin Scott's "Dark House", Martin Weisz' "Grimm Love", Elio Quiroga's "No-Do: The Beckoning", and finally Michael Staininger's "Ligeia".
Something for everyone I'm sure you'll agree. Granted, some of these titles are quite old and well known already from the festival circuit (wow,...
Even more cool: on the FrightFest website readers can vote which of these films should get a theatrical release in July. Right now the site just shows the selected titles but trailers, clips and featurettes should follow soon.
And the titles are not to be sneezed at: James Isaac's "Pig Hunt", Jaume Balagueró's "Fragile", Steven Hentges' "Hunger", Dean Francis' "Road Train", Darin Scott's "Dark House", Martin Weisz' "Grimm Love", Elio Quiroga's "No-Do: The Beckoning", and finally Michael Staininger's "Ligeia".
Something for everyone I'm sure you'll agree. Granted, some of these titles are quite old and well known already from the festival circuit (wow,...
- 5/12/2010
- Screen Anarchy
When someone asks me which country is at the top of the horror heap, I generally point towards France, then to England. If this nosy individual continues to press the issue, I usually give a quick nod to New Zealand and Australia, both of which deliver engaging, intelligent fare on a consistent basis. Australian Director Dean Francis looks to up the ante with his 2010 genre flick “Road Train”, which takes the concept of a trucker terrorizing twenty-somethings to lofty new heights. The trailer embedded below is certainly eye-catching, and is shaping up to be one of the better offerings of the new year. Sure, the premise is a little tired, but it appears that Francis is dedicated to giving this snappy little production plenty of blood-soaked twists. What are you waiting for? Check out the clip below.
- 2/24/2010
- by Todd
- Beyond Hollywood
If you’re in or around London and - from our earlier coverage - you liked the looks of upcoming Aussie road horror movie Road Train, this could be your chance to catch the movie on the big screen, as its set to get an airing at the London’s Barbican Australian Film Festival in March. The directorial debut of Dean Francis, Road Train stars Xavier Samuel, Bob Morley, Sophie Lowe and Georgina Haig. For full details on the screening, check out the fests official website here and a great promo trailer for the film below.
- 2/21/2010
- 24framespersecond.net
Road trip movies are fairly common and often mundane, but there's a subset within the genre that has a greater appeal to someone like me... and that's road trips gone bad. I'm a sucker for terror on the asphalt films like The Hitcher (original), Joy Ride, and Duel. There's something about being away from home and driving in an unfamiliar place with death right behind you. It's harder to do in Us films these days thanks to cell phones, Gps, and Stuckey's, but none of those conveniences are a guarantee in the harsh outback of Australia. Which is where the latest horror on wheels film comes from... check out the trailer for Road Train. I like the look of this one. It could easily have gone the route of a Wolf Creek/Roadgames mash-up, but director Dean Francis and writer Clive Hopkins have added a little something extra into their monster truck tale. Is...
- 11/19/2009
- by Rob Hunter
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
There’s nothing like a good road (horror) movie and from the looks of this first trailer for local director Dean Francis’s Road Train, he may well soon be adding to the list. Unfairly or not, in past coverage we’ve drawn similarities in RTs storyline to Steven Spielberg’s Duel, but watching the trail it seems Francis (and writer Clive Hopkins) have thrown some new twists into the mix, and If nothing else we want to see what the hell is in the back of that truck! Still in post production there’s no word yet on when or where it’s due to open, but this has an American release written - right down to its 20-something slaughtering hub caps - all over it. Synopsis: Four young friends on a camping adventure in outback Australia are run off the road by an erratically driven road train - a massive three-trailer truck.
- 11/17/2009
- 24framespersecond.net
Road Train has recently been picked up by Lightning Entertainment so a release date is not far off for the film. The writing of Clive Hopkins focuses on four friends left for dead after a vehicle accident in the desolate wasteland that is Australia. Their is also a supernatural aspect as the truck seems to be possessed a la Stephen King's Christine. Have a look at some early footage from the film until released by Lightning later this year or in 2010.
A synopsis for Road Train here:
"Four young friends on a camping adventure in outback Australia are run off the road by an erratically driven road train - a massive three-trailer truck. With their own vehicle wrecked, and the road train stopped, the friends march off to remonstrate with the drivers. But mysteriously, there is no one to be found. Suddenly, the silence is broken by the sound of gunshots.
A synopsis for Road Train here:
"Four young friends on a camping adventure in outback Australia are run off the road by an erratically driven road train - a massive three-trailer truck. With their own vehicle wrecked, and the road train stopped, the friends march off to remonstrate with the drivers. But mysteriously, there is no one to be found. Suddenly, the silence is broken by the sound of gunshots.
- 11/11/2009
- by Michael Ross Allen
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Dean Francis' Australian spin on highway terror, Road Train , went into production last year. It's currently in post-production and Lightning Entertainment brought a spiffy trailer and promo poster to the American Film Market this week. The film looks to break the norm, becoming less about a deranged driver and more about a supernatural truck (the titular vehicle). Like the fools in Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead , I'm not sure who in their right mind would steal a truck clearly evil or belonging to an evil person, though. Furthermore, I hope they explain how one of the protagonists learned how to drive a big rig so effortlessly. Four young friends on a camping adventure in outback Australia are run off the road by an erratically driven road train - a massive three-trailer truck....
- 11/5/2009
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Back when the film was announced back in June, not much was revealed about Dean Francis' Aussie horror-thriller Road Train, which was written by Clive Hopkins. The tease that was given to us was, "The Duel-style Road Train is about a group of youngsters menaced by a driverless road train in the Australian outback." Four young friends on a camping adventure in outback Australia are run off the road by a mystery road train - a massive three-trailer truck. With their own 4x4 wrecked and the road train stopped, the friends march off to remonstrate with the driver. But there is no one to be found! Suddenly, the silence is broken by the sound of gunshots. A distant figure screams and runs towards them. Are they witnesses to a murder? Theres no time to discuss it. The friends commandeer the road train. The next town is only three hours away.
- 11/24/2008
- bloody-disgusting.com
Today a nice long, chunky synopsis appeared online for a new Aussie horror movie in the works called Road Train. Personally it’s the first I’ve heard of it, but from the sounds of it we could be in for an interesting treat.
The producers behind the killer croc flick Black Water are behind Road Train, which is about a group of friends whose 4x4 is destroyed when they’re run off the road by the titular vehicle, a massive, three-trailer truck. When they get to the big bastard, they find it driverless and decide to use it as a means to get to the next town, but they’ll never make it. What they find in the truck’s attached trailers will make sure their weekend is well and truly ruined.
Written by Clint Hopkins and set to be helmed by Dean Francis, Road Train will be in...
The producers behind the killer croc flick Black Water are behind Road Train, which is about a group of friends whose 4x4 is destroyed when they’re run off the road by the titular vehicle, a massive, three-trailer truck. When they get to the big bastard, they find it driverless and decide to use it as a means to get to the next town, but they’ll never make it. What they find in the truck’s attached trailers will make sure their weekend is well and truly ruined.
Written by Clint Hopkins and set to be helmed by Dean Francis, Road Train will be in...
- 11/24/2008
- by Johnny Butane
- DreadCentral.com
More details are starting to filter through on director Dean Francis’s first feature length film, the horror thriller Road Train. When we first heard about the project we’ll put our hands up and admit we thought it was all sounding (Kids get terrorised by a Demonic killer Truck) like a rip off of Spielberg’s ‘Duel,’ but reading through this new more detailed synopsis, it seems there may be more to it than we first thought.
- 11/24/2008
- 24framespersecond.net
More details are starting to filter through on director Dean Francis’s first feature length film, the horror thriller Road Train. When we first heard about the project we’ll put our hands up and admit we thought it was all sounding (Kids get terrorised by a Demonic killer Truck) like a rip off of Spielberg’s ‘Duel,’ but reading through this new more detailed synopsis, it seems there may be more to it than we first thought.
- 11/24/2008
- 24framespersecond.net
What, at first, appeared to be an Australian spin on road rage thrillers like Duel and Joy Ride is beginning to sound a tad different . When Dean Francis' feature debut Road Train was announced, the story - written by Clive Hopkins - was described as being about "A group of youngsters are menaced by a driverless road train in the Australian outback." A new official plot synopsis has floated our way that's more revealing: Four young friends on a camping adventure in outback Australia are run off the road by a mystery road train - a massive three-trailer truck. With their own 4x4 wrecked and the road train stopped, the friends march off to remonstrate with the driver. But there is no one to be found! Suddenly, the silence is broken by the sound of...
- 11/24/2008
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Brit producers Paul Cowan and Chris Wheeldon of Territorial Film Developments have pacted with Oz producer Michael Robertson (ProdigyMovies) to make supernatural thriller Road Train. The Duel-style Road Train is about a group of youngsters menaced by a driverless road train in the Australian outback. First-timer Dean Francis is set to direct from a screenplay by Clive Hopkins. The project is backed by the Australian Film Commissions IndiVision Production Fund, which supports first-time feature directors. Production outfits Tfd and ProdigyMovies re-team after a successful collaboration on last years Black Water, a film about three young people whose fishing trip goes horribly wrong when their boat is attacked by crocodiles in the mangrove swamps of Northern Australia.
- 6/2/2008
- bloody-disgusting.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.