The deal with Dark Star Pictures was made with Berlin-based sales agent M-Appeal, who have 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 his debut feature film Teenage Kicks at the Sydney Film Festival in 2016.
Lonesome tells the story of Casey (Josh Lavery), a country lad running from a small-town scandal, who finds himself down and out in the big smoke of Sydney. On a hook-up app his path crosses with Tib (Daniel Gabriel), a young city boy, struggling with his own scars of isolation. Together, both find something they have been missing but neither of them know quite how to negotiate it.
“Taking audiences on a thrilling, hedonistic and erotic journey, the film’s lead characters navigate hook-up culture alongside their search for real connection,” says M-Appeal.
Michael Repsch, president of Dark Star Pictures, said Boreham has “crafted an enthralling and visually stunning take on the big-city-meets-country love story. This refreshing vision is a great representation of the stories Dark Star wants to share with audiences.”
Dark Star, which focuses on auteur-driven and thought-provoking cinema, will be taking Lonesome to film festivals first with a theatrical release planned for early 2023, beginning in New York and Los Angeles, with a digital release to follow.
It is rare for a queer film to garner invitations from both LGBTQ and generalist festivals alike. Lonesome has achieved critical acclaim at festivals including Seattle International, Provincetown, InsideOut Toronto, Guadalajara, Lovers Film Festival Turin, and Sydney Film Festival with Revelation Perth International to come.
Lonesome is produced by Dean Francis (who is also the Cinematographer) for JJ Splice Films as well as Ulysses Oliver and Ben Ferris for Breathless Films. Craig Boreham also serves as a producer.
Boreham’s awards include best film at My Queer Career, Mardi Gras Film Festival, the City of Melbourne Best Short Film Award, Melbourne Queer Film Festival and National Film Sound Archive Orlando Award. In 2008, a retrospective of Boreham’s work, Cinema of True Poison, was presented by Fundacion Triangulo in Madrid.
