by FilmInk Staff
Following a huge response from audiences across Australia, THE SONGS OF JOHN FARNHAM: A LIVING LEGEND – THE CELEBRATION CONCERT will return to cinemas for an encore season from Thursday 22 October.
The original screening – an exclusive live broadcast from the sold-out Rod Laver Arena tribute event – drew more than 23,000 fans to HOYTS cinemas. Now, a newly re-edited cut
of the star-studded concert celebrating John Farnham’s greatest hits will grace cinemas across the country.
HOYTS General Manager of Programming and Content Michelle Gater said she was delighted to continue the partnership with Cochrane Entertainment and TEG Dainty, bringing this spectacular celebration back to cinemas for audiences across Australia. “Following the remarkable success of this Australian-first live cinema broadcast, the encore season will offer moviegoers the opportunity to relive the magic of the event or experience it for the first time,” Michelle said.
“We were proud to make a significant investment to bring this concert to the big screen. Alongside the funds the concert organisers are donating to Head and Neck Cancer Australia, HOYTS is pleased to make a donation of its own to support the cause.
“We’re delighted to continue sharing this celebration with audiences across Australia, honouring John and the enduring legacy of his music.”
Cochrane Entertainment’s Thea Jeanes-Cochrane commented that Australia’s response to the concert live stream on Sunday 20 September was deeply gratifying. “The partnership with HOYTS enabled tens of thousands of fans to unite that night for a live celebration of an absolute Australian icon. Due to enormous demand, we are thrilled that this mega once in a generation concert event can return to cinemas Australia wide, giving even more fans the opportunity to come together and celebrate John and his music on the big screen in cinemas across the country,” Thea said.
Paul Dainty and TEG Dainty acknowledge the unprecedented demand for the concert showed just how deeply John Farnham’s songs resonate with generations of fans. “John Farnham holds an irreplaceable place in Australian music history, and working alongside HOYTS allowed us to capture the electric energy of an arena show and stream it seamlessly into local communities nationwide,” Paul said.
Hello Jerry Films co-executive producers David Wilson and Chris Oliver-Taylor said the encore season gives the production team an opportunity to shape the concert specifically for cinema audiences. “Broadcasting the concert live into HOYTS was an extraordinary experience, but that was only the beginning of the film’s life,” they said.
“We’ve gone back into the edit to build a new version for the big screen, bringing audiences closer to the performances, the atmosphere in Rod Laver Arena and the affection everyone in the room has for John. We’re proud to have produced a film that lets people share that night again, or discover it for the first time.”
Fans will be able to secure their seats for The Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend – The Celebration Concert Encore soon, with tickets on sale from Thursday 8 October at standard cinema pricing.
For more information and tickets, visit hoyts.com.au.
