The world premiere of an Australian comedy directed by Rachel Ward and set on the northern beaches will open the Sydney Film Festival this year.
Opening night attraction: Bryan Brown, Jacqueline McKenzie and Richard E. Grant on the set of Palm Beach.Palm Beach has an impressive cast that includes two members of Ward's family - husband Bryan Brown and daughter Matilda Brown - alongside Sam Neill, Richard E. Grant, who was up an an Oscar this year forWritten by playwright Joanna Murray-Smith and Ward, the film centres on a three-day party at a luxurious house in Palm Beach where tensions break out and an old secret threatens to emerge.Brown, Neill and Grant play former members of a one hit wonder band called Pacific Sideburns.
Ward said the film festival in Sydney was her favourite time of year and "to be kicking it off is a really special treat”. Brown, who is also one of the film's producers, said the inspiration was a Christmas with friends in Wales.Way back in 1980, a young Bryan Brown starred in another Australian film calledInspired by a Christmas in Wales: Palm Beach
gmaddox Sounds like a truly turgid, middle aged, upper middle class, 'point at the wallaby' Oz comedy with all the appeal of a rectal exam. Straight to video, never seen again.
gmaddox Are you the lead role ComedianJonas ?
gmaddox Tony doing a 'walk on'?