by FilmInk Staff
South Australian screen industry capability will be on show at this year’s Cannes Film Festival as international market buyers get an advance look at new South Australian horror-thriller Penny Lane is Dead.
With production now underway in Adelaide, including at the South Australian Film Corporation’s (SAFC) Adelaide Studios, early footage from the edgy new film will be showcased for international buyers at the prestigious Marché du Film at Cannes next week.
Written and directed by award-winning Australian filmmaker Mia’Kate Russell and produced by award-winning South Australian producer Julie Ryan (Late Night With The Devil, Hotel Mumbai), Ari Harrison (Talk To Me), Andre Lima (Mrs McCutcheon) and South Australian producer/line producer Carly Maple (The Fox), Penny Lane is Dead is supported by the SAFC through its Screen Production Fund, with post production through South Australia’s KOJO Studios.
It is the first feature film from independent Australian production company Sanctuary Pictures, created by Ari Harrison, who has a producing partnership with Julie Ryan of Cyan Films. Sanctuary is also closely linked with long standing and successful ANZ distributor Umbrella Entertainment.
The cast features Tahlee Fereday (Erotic Stories), Sophia Wright-Mendelsohn (Wizards!, Year Of), Alexandra Jensen (Talk to Me), Bailey Spalding (Scrublands, Domina), Ben O’Toole (Bloody Hell, Hacksaw Ridge, Detroit), Steve Le Marquand(Beast of War, Vertical Limit), and Fletcher Humphrys (The Stranger, Hounds of Love, Wolf Creek).
During a sweltering Australian summer in 1986, a carefree night at a beach house turns deadly when a prank spirals out of control, leaving three teenage best friends to fight for their lives. Penny Lane is Dead is a wild, blood-soaked descent into love, betrayal and survival.
Minister for the Arts Andrea Michaels MP said: “It’s fantastic to have another exciting South Australian produced feature film being showcased to the world at Cannes.
South Australia has been a powerhouse of film in recent years with a pipeline of exciting productions telling our stories and here we have a new horror film demonstrating the talent of our screen sector at the biggest film festival in the world. Congratulations to the team behind Penny Lane is Dead and I’m looking forward to seeing it (if I’m brave enough!)”
SAFC CEO Kate Croser said: “The South Australian Film Corporation is delighted to be supporting this thrilling new feature film from acclaimed South Australian producer Julie Ryan. Filmed on location across Adelaide with more than 70 South Australians employed across production and post production, including 12 Heads of Department (HODs), Penny Lane is Dead is another exciting addition to our state’s quality pipeline of screen production. South Australia has an international reputation for producing some of the world’s boldest and most original horror films and this production will no doubt be a compelling addition to that ongoing legacy.”
Producer Julie Ryan said: “There’s nothing like shooting in your home town, so I’m very happy to be back in South Australia shooting the first Sanctuary Pictures-Cyan Films collaboration. It’s not only the great locations so close to the CBD that bring me back but also the South Australian ‘can-do’ professional crew, which is headed up by the most outstanding producer Carly Maple.”
Director Mia’Kate Russell said: “Finding this cast is incredibly exciting. Each of these young people brings such raw talent, intensity and fearlessness to the production. They are coming into this project ready to feel everything and be fully immersed in the nostalgia of 80’s Australia. The naturalism and authenticity that they will bring to their roles, particularly Tahlee, Sophia, Alex and Bailey as our powerful 17-year-old female protagonists, will be wonderful to witness.”
Adelaide Film Festival CEO and Creative Director Mat Kesting said: “Penny Lane is Dead is set to blow audiences away with its high energy and gripping terror, complete with an awesome soundtrack. Proudly supported by the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund, we’re excited to see Mia’Kate Russell’s distinct vision for this film realised and backed by a brilliant team.”
A Sanctuary Pictures and Buffalo Media production in association with Cyan Films, Penny Lane Is Dead is financed with major production investment from Screen Australia and produced in association with the South Australian Film Corporation, VicScreen and the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund. Local distribution by Umbrella Entertainment, with international sales handled by Upgrade. The film was developed with the assistance of the South Australian Film Corporation and Umbrella Entertainment.
Image: Bailey Spalding as Penny Lane and Tahlee Fereday as Toni on the set of Penny Lane is Dead. Photo by Ian Routledge
