We’re Just Going to Leave This Here
Press release time!
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FIRST-LOOK IMAGE RELEASED FOR NEW AUSTRALIAN BLACK COMEDY ‘DOWN UNDER’, WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY ABE FORSYTHE
3 December, 2015: The first image for filmmaker Abe Forsythe’s second feature film, DOWN UNDER, has just been released.
A black comedy set during the aftermath of the Cronulla riots, DOWN UNDER is the story of two carloads of hotheads from both sides of the fight destined to collide. Sincere, though misguided, intent gives way to farcical ineptitude as this hilarious yet poignant story of ignorance, fear and kebab-cravings unfolds, and what was meant to be a retaliation mission turns into something neither side could have imagined.
Deliberately and provocatively confronting racism head on, director Abe Forsythe, who is also responsible for writing the film’s screenplay, has taken a balanced look at the ridiculous side of a serious subject. “There is nothing more satisfying than getting people to laugh at something they feel like they shouldn’t be laughing at. Comedy is the best way to say something meaningful,” he says.
This first-look image introduces characters from both sides of the story, men with so much in common, divided by an arbitrary hatred. Forsythe says: “Obviously if you’re setting a film during the Cronulla riot, racism is one of the major themes you find yourself exploring. However, racism here is a behavioural by-product of these characters wanting to belong to something, to feel like they are in control.”
As we approach the 10th anniversary of the shameful event which has been cemented in our nation’s history, DOWN UNDER is a timely reminder that will provoke wider discussions on identity and acceptance.
DOWN UNDER will release in cinemas in 2016, distributed by STUDIOCANAL Australia.
DOWN UNDER stars Lincoln Younes (Hiding, Love Child Season 2), Rahel Romahn (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, The Combination), Damon Herriman(The Water Diviner, The Little Death, Justified), Michael Denkha (The Combination, Stealth), Fayssal Bazzi (Crownies, Cedar Boys),Alexander England (Gods Of Egypt, Power Games: The Packer-Murdoch Story),Justin Rosniak (Animal Kingdom), Harriet Dyer (Love Child, Janet King) and introduces Christopher Bunton. It also features Josh McConville, Dylan Young, Christiaan Van Vuuren, Anthony Taufa along with Marshall Napier (The Water Horse, Babe) and David Field (Last Cab To Darwin, The Rover, Chopper).
Presented by Screen Australia, DOWN UNDER is a Wild Eddie Production, in association with El Guapo Films and Emu Creek Pictures, produced in conjunction with STUDIOCANAL. Written and directed by Abe Forsythe, produced by Jodi Matterson and executive produced by Greg McLean.
As fans of Chris Morris’ Four Lions – which tackled equally touchy material – we’re not going to dismiss this out of hand.
Oh wait, it’s written and directed by Abe Forsythe. The man who made Brass Eye, Jam and Nathan Barley up against the director of Ned and series two of Laid? Who also wrote for Double Take, Comedy Inc. and The Elegant Gentleman’s Guide to Knife Fighting?
We’re sorry we said anything.