Christmess
| Christmess | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Heath Davis |
| Screenplay by | Heath Davis |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Chris Bland |
| Edited by | Romain Mongin |
| Music by | Matt Sladen |
Production companies |
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Release dates |
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| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
Christmess is a 2023 Australian Christmas film written and directed by Heath Davis. It stars Hannah Joy, Steve Le Marquand, and Darren Gilshenan.
Premise
[edit]Three recovering addicts try to get through the festive season without relapsing, in Campbelltown, a suburb in western Sydney, Australia.[1]
Cast
[edit]- Hannah Joy as Joy
- Steve Le Marquand as Chris Flint
- Darren Gilshenan as Nick
- Aaron Glenane as Jeff
- Nicole Pastor as Noelle
- George Burgess as a Doorman/bouncer
Production
[edit]An independent Australian film, Christmess is written and directed by Heath Davis.[2] Davis began writing an “authentic” Christmas film after Christmas 2020 when he spent time in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic without work or family, and watched a lot of “bad Christmas films”.[3]
It is produced by Daniel Fenech, Cindy Pritchard, and Matthew McCracken. Funding for the film partially came from crowd-funding.[4]
Casting
[edit]The film marks the feature film acting debut of Hannah Joy, the lead singer with rock band Middle Kids. Joy wrote several original songs for Christmess, including Empty Chair, Deadbeat Dads, and Boxing Day and performs all three songs in character during the film.[5]
Filming
[edit]Principal photography got underway in Sydney in June 2022 with a three-week filming schedule.[6]
Release
[edit]The film had its world premiere at the Austin Film Festival on 29 October 2023. It was released in Australia on 30 November 2023.[7][8]
Reception
[edit]Nadine Whitney in The Curb described the film as "painful, hopeful, gentle, and funny as hell".[9]
Luke Buckmaster in The Guardian described it as "a very absorbing film, tenderly written and directed".[10]
Other films by Heath Davis
[edit]Heath Davis directed Book Week, released in 2018.[11] This film was nominated for the AACTA Award for Best Indie Film in the 9th AACTA Awards in 2019.[12][13]
References
[edit]- ^ Smyrk, Katherine (9 December 2023). "This Australian festive film starring the lead singer of Middle Kids is for people who find Christmas hard". ABC.net. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Mattes, Ari (29 November 2023). "Christmess is undoubtedly one of the best Christmas films to emerge – from anywhere – in recent years". The Conversation. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Young, David James (12 December 2023). ""Christmas Can Be Bleak": Heath Davis On His New Movie 'Christmess'". Junkee. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ "Watch the Trailer for Australian Festive Film 'Christmess'". Variety. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Lochrie, Conor (4 October 2023). "Middle Kids' Hannah Joy Makes Her Big Screen Debut in Festive Film". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (2 June 2022). "Alcoholic 'Christmess' Film From Heath Davis Shooting in Sydney". Variety. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Slatter, Sean (21 September 2023). "Heath Davis' 'Christmess' to premiere at Austin Film Festival". If.com. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ "Schedule". Austin Film Festival. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Whitney, Nadine (7 December 2023). "Heath Davis' Christmess is the Major Miracle Independent Australian Cinema Needs". The Curb. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Buckmaster, Luke (12 December 2023). "Sweary Santas and barbecue explosions: what's the best Australian Christmas movie?". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Book Week at IMDb
- ^ "Winners & Nominees, 2019". AACTA. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- ^ "AACTA Awards 2019: all the nominees and winners". Who. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
External links
[edit]- Christmess at IMDb