In My Father's Den

KIWI FILM TO OPEN AUSSIE FILM FESTIVAL

5 May 2004
Press Release, Icon Film Distribution

New Zealand director Brad McGann’s feature film debut In My Father’s Den will have its world premiere at the official opening of the Sydney Film Festival on Friday 11 June. The opening night of the Sydney Film Festival is said to be one of the highlights of the Sydney social calendar and a unique opportunity to dress up and mix with the stars.

“ The selection of In My Father's Den as opening film is part of the festival's commitment to identifying and supporting emerging talent. It is a very powerful, elegant drama and I am just delighted to have it opening my last festival,” says Gayle Lake, Sydney Film Festival Director.

The film, still in the final stages of post-production, features some of New Zealand’s top film talent. New Zealand director Brad McGann wrote the screenplay based on the novel by Maurice Gee. McGann is known for his award winning short film Possum, which gained critical acclaim on the international film festival circuit. Oscar nominee Stuart Dryburgh (The Piano, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Once Were Warriors) is the cinematographer and it is edited by Chris Plummer (Crooked Earth).

British actor Matthew Macfadyen leads the ensemble cast. Macfadyen plays the lead role in the BBC’s BAFTA winning drama series “Spooks” currently screening on TV One. Stars working alongside Macfadyen include Miranda Otto (The Lord Of The Rings), Vicky Haughton (Whale Rider) and newcomer Emily Barclay.

In My Father’s Den is a story about human frailties and strengths. “It’s not so much a whodunit” says the director (Brad McGann) “but a whydunit. On the surface its’s a mystery story. Underneath it’s about secrets and complicated family relationships. It explores universal themes of buried emotion, loss and the rekindling of hope” McGann is thilled the film is included in the Sydney Film Festival and believes “the inclusion of this film is also a reflection of the recent success New Zealand films have had in the international arena”.

Icon Film Distribution has acquired Australian and New Zealand distribution rights for In My Father’s Den and will be distributed in New Zealand by Hoyts Distribution. “The quality of this script made it stand-out for me. It’s exciting to see this kind of well-developed drama coming out of New Zealand and to be offered the Opening Night slot in Sydney is a real vote of confidence in the film and its talented director” says Mark Gooder, C.E.O of Icon.

UK sales company Element X is handling worldwide sales excluding Japan, Australasia, and the South East Asian territories are being sold by the New Zealand Film Commission. In My Father’s Den was funded by the NZFC, NZ On Air as a NZ/UK co-production with finance also coming from the UK Film Council and UK’s Visionview.