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Sydney Theatre to host Men’s Group premiere

By Simon de Bruyn

After screening at the recent film festivals in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australian feature drama Men’s Group will premiere at the prestigious Sydney Theatre on September 18 to launch its theatrical season.

Men’s Group is the debut feature film from Michael Joy, and stars a cast of seasoned television and theatre actors including Grant Dodwell, Paul Gleeson, Steve Le Marquand, Don Reid, Steve Rodgers, Paul Tassone and William Zappa. The film was produced by John L. Simpson, who will also distribute the film through his company Titan View.

Simpson told INSIDEFILM that Cate Blanchett, in her role as Sydney Theatre Company (STC) co-artistic director, had thrown her support behind the film after being approached by Le Marquand, a member of the STC Actor’s Company.

“We are honoured to be screening there. Parts of the film resemble theatre and a lot of the actors have done shows there. Romulus, My Father had its Sydney premiere there, so it’s been done before. It really works as both an amazing cinema and wonderful theatre. STC have just been incredible with their level of support as a company,” he said.

Simpson, who had a lightning education in distribution in 2007 after picking up The Jammed for its theatrical run, said the film had also received strong interest from exhibitors who will determine their release plans for the film in coming weeks.

Men’s Group will also tour as part of the Sydney Travelling Film Festival, will have AFI screenings across the country and screen at Sydney’s Chauvel cinema for one week following the September 18 Sydney Theatre premiere.

Men’s Group won the inaugural SPAARTAN Award in 2007 as part of the annual DigiSPAA Competition, which recognises the best digitally shot feature for the year.