The filming of A Savage Christmas, the debut production from Roaring Entertainment, has started in Queensland with full support from various stakeholders of the Australian screen production industry.
© Writer/director Madeleine Dyer on the set of A Savage Christmas
Billed as a dramatic comedy along the lines of Death at a Funeral and Silver Linings Playbook, A Savage Christmas follows the story of transwoman Davina Savage who returns home for Christmas after years of alienation with her new boyfriend. Revelations and deception ensue, threatening not only their lives but another Christmas lunch.
The film is the first full-length feature of Townsville-based director Madeleine Dyer and is brought by Roaring Entertainment, a newly created company by Brisbane-based producers Ben McNeill and Daniel Mulvihill.
A Savage Christmas has the support of the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Screen Finance Program. This is apart from the principal production investment poured in by Screen Australia.
Screen Queensland is proud of the production as it showcases what creatives from the area can do and how it is a big boost to the local economy. As per its estimate, it expects some $1.2 million to be injected in the state coffers because of the production while creating approximately 76 jobs for cast and crew.
“A Savage Christmas is a Queensland production through and through — directed, written and produced by Queenslanders, and both filmed and set in the state … We are proud to invest in local talent — our people are the key to Queensland’s reputation as a global filmmaking hub,” said Screen Queensland’s Chief Creative Officer Dr. Belinda Burns.
Screen Australia’s Head of Content Grainne Brunsdon, for her part, said they firmly believe in the project and expect the film to do well.
“With a strong ensemble cast, this film weaves contemporary issues and themes of acceptance into a classic Christmas family fiasco, and it’s sure to bring the holiday spirit to audiences this year,” said Brunsdon of A Savage Christmas, which is slated for release by the end of the year.
Filming in their home state, both Mulvihill and McNeill expressed appreciation for the support that the local government, through Screen Queensland, has given them, inspiring their outfit to continue its push to spotlight the skills of local creatives.
“This story has been developed over several years by a team of Queensland locals and represents many of the personal stories and experiences of the film’s key creatives,” the two jointly said.
Adding, “This film also serves as a talent escalator for many cast and crew stepping into new roles. Screen Queensland’s energetic and long-standing support of the project throughout development is valued greatly …”
A Savage Christmas stars Helen Thomson, Darren Gilshenan, David Roberts, Gary Sweet and Ryan Morgan as well as Rachel Griffiths and newcomers Thea Raveneau, Max Jahufer and Rekha Ryan.
It is directed and written by Dyer with Mulvihill and Max Jahufer as co-writers. The film will be distributed in Australia and New Zealand through Bonsai Films as well as internationally by way of Odin’s Eye Entertainment.
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