Former rugby league stars, Craig Gower, Greg Alexander, Brad Fittler and Matthew Johns, will be walking the red carpet at the Ritz Cinema in Randwick on April 13 in support of the new Australian sports-themed drama Broke.
The impressive debut feature film of writer/director Heath Davis, Broke tells the fictional story of North Sydney rugby league star Ben Kelly (Steve Le Marquand), whose life spirals out of control in retirement at the hands of alcohol and a gambling addiction. In addition to Le Marquand, the film features some fine Aussie talent in Max Cullen, Claire Van Der Boom, Steve Bastoni and Brendan Cowell.
The cast and crew behind Broke will also attend the FilmInk Presents screening on April 13, which coincides with the launch of a powerful $2.4 million advertising campaign by the NSW government that attempts to address the issue of problem gambling.
Acknowledging that gambling addiction is a social problem with some high-profile casualties, the National Rugby League (NRL) has partly funded the film in the hope that it will also serve as an educational tool for its players.
“Hopefully we can create a bit of a dialogue and get some understanding of an issue that statistics show is not going away any time soon,” says director Heath Davis. “Aussies love an underdog story and Broke is exactly that.”
Says producer Luke Graham: “The film is based on a lot of players I got to know growing up. It is timely and topical with its gambling related themes. But, above all, it is a celebration of the human spirit much like our great game is.”
Tickets to FilmInk Presents’ Q&A screening of Broke at The Ritz Cinema in Randwick next April 13 can be purchased at www.ritzcinema.com.au/Promotion/Broke-Qa-Event.
