RED HILL, the debut feature from writer / producer / director Patrick Hughes, produced by Al Clark and starring Ryan Kwanten (True Blood, the forthcoming Griff The Invisible), has been selected for the Berlin International Film Festival.
For an international film festival not typically known for choosing genre films, the selection of RED HILL at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival is validation of the film as quality entertainment and something special and out of the ordinary. It has been chosen as a “Panorama Special” within the official program of the 60th anniversary year of the Berlinale, in the grand Zoo Palast cinema.
An acclaimed commercials director, AFI nominee, winner of Tropfest for his short film The Lighter and director of the YouTube sensation Signs, Patrick Hughes’ wrote, directed, edited and co-produced RED HILL alongside producer Al Clark (Priscilla; Chopper; Blessed). RED HILL is Hughes’ first feature film.
“To have Red Hill officially programmed at such a festival is a true honour. The film was a passion project at every level. I was inspired by film-makers such as George Miller, Robert Rodriguez and the Coen Brothers, all directors who made their first films outside the system and risked everything in the process. Now that our world premiere is set to screen in a 1,000 seat cinema in the heart of Berlin on the opening weekend of the festival, it is not only a dream come true but a wonderful validation for everyone involved,” said Patrick Hughes.
RED HILL tells the story of Shane Cooper (Kwanten), a young police officer who relocates to the small country town of Red Hill with his pregnant wife to start a family. But when news of a prison break sends the local law enforcement officers into a panic, his first day on duty rapidly turns into a nightmare. Enter Jimmy Conway, a convicted murderer serving life behind bars, who returns to the isolated outpost seeking revenge. Told with explosive action and chilling violence, this is a modern-day western set in high-country Australia.
In addition to Ryan Kwanten, RED HILL stars Steve Bisley, Tom E. Lewis, Claire van der Boom and Kevin Harrington.
Executive producers are Greg Mclean (Wolf Creek; Rogue), Rob Galluzzo and Craig McMahon.
Berlin’s Panorama section presents world and European premieres, discovering films that ‘provide the market with inspiration’. Over 20,000 moviegoers will participate during the Berlinale in the Panorama Audience Award that is to be presented on February 21, 2010.
RED HILL was filmed in rural Victoria and was made with the support of private investors, Screen Australia and a Film Victoria location grant. It is distributed by Transmission Films and will be released mid 2010.
The critically acclaimed film AN EDUCATION has scored 8 BAFTA Nominations, including Best Film and Outstanding British Film. Lone Scherfig received a Best Director nomination and Nick Hornby garnered a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. In the lead role as Jenny, Carey Mulligan received a Best Actress nomination and Alfred Molina has also been recognised for his witty performance as Jenny’s father, receiving a Best Supporting Actor nomination.
Based on the memoir of journalist Lynn Barber, AN EDUCATION is set in London in the swinging 60’s and received BAFTA nominations for Costume Design and Make-up and Hair.
Proving her performance resonated not only with critics, Carey Mulligan has been nominated for the Orange Rising Star Award, which is voted for by the public.