Principal photography has wrapped in Melbourne, Australia, on the feature film Strange Creatures, a darkly humorous road trip film, written and directed by Henry Boffin and starring Johnny Carr (Five Bedrooms, Wellmania) and Riley Nottingham (Metro Sexual, In Halves).
Producer is Rachel Forbes whose credits include Metro Sexual, Moja Vesna, Of An Age and Summer Love.
Boffin previously co-created, wrote and directed episodes of the international hit series Metro Sexual (seasons one and two) for which he was recently nominated Best Writing – Comedy at the 55th Annual AWGIE Awards and is known for his award-winning short film Lavender (winner Best Live Action Short Film, Sci-On! Film Festival, and Best Actor, Gold Coast Film Festival). Boffin previously developed his first feature film Before the Dying Light with mentor Shaun Grant (Snowtown, The Narrow Road to the Deep North) as part of the inaugural Imagine Impact through Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment.
Strange Creatures is also produced by Riley Nottingham (SPA Ones To Watch participant). DOP is Jonathan Haynes (Sex & Death, Metro Sexual Season 2). Executive Producer is Julia Adams (Run Rabbit Run, Seriously Red). Casting by Natalie Wall, Barrett Casting.
Strange Creatures is a dramedy in the vein of Nebraska and Little Miss Sunshine; a darkly humorous road trip film about the value of family and the pratfalls of masculinity. Nate Taylor hasn’t spoken a word to his brother, Ged, in over four years after a mysterious falling out. But when their mother passes away from a sudden aneurysm, the brothers must set aside their differences in order to fulfil their mother’s dying wish: to have her ashes scattered at the old family home in the country town of Narrabri. Setting out across Australia in the only vehicle available to them – a black hearse – the boys soon realise that the trip will be anything but plain sailing. Spurred on by Ged’s destructive behaviour and their intense dislike for each other, a set of unfortunate events threaten to derail them from ever reaching their goal. But as they drift ever further away from reconciliation, Nate comes to understand that the only way they’ll ever fulfil their mother’s final wish will be to face the ghosts of the past head on, no matter how painful it may be.
Producer Rachel Forbes said: “We are thrilled to have Strange Creatures in production. Henry’s unique blend of comedy and drama makes this a really distinctive story as well as a deeply personal one of grief, family and addiction – a film we believe will resonate with a modern Australian audience.”
Strange Creatures is the first feature film under the new drama venture by Humdrum Comedy (Screen Producers Australia Nominee – Breakthrough Business of the Year). Filming will be completed in mid-February.
Strange Creatures is a Humdrum Comedy production. Discussions are underway with international distributors, with an Australian broadcaster announcement to be made soon.
Carr is represented by Sophie Jermyn Management and Untitled Entertainment. Nottingham is represented by Natalie Hall Management.
