Media release: Slant producers announce national theatrical run for darkly comic Aussie thriller
Announcement posted by Jameson & Co 07 Sep 2023
plus additional filmmaker Q&A preview screenings (Oct 5 & 6)
Total Running Time: 113 minutes | Classification: MA 15+ | Consumer Advice: Strong violence and coarse language
Following a successful tour of event screenings around Australia, the producers of Slant have confirmed a national theatrical release for this riotous comic thriller starring Aussie screen royalty, Sigrid Thornton.
Continuing the momentum from its intensive two-week roadshow of filmmaker Q&A sessions, Slant will now screen in cinemas from October 12 in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart, with regional locations in Victoria and South Australia also joining the party. In addition, pre-release filmmaker Q&A screenings have been confirmed at Melbourne's Cinema Nova (October 5) and Hobart's State Cinema (October 6).
Touted as "bonkers", "engrossing" and "highly entertaining", Slant takes the audience on a wild ride of high camp melodrama and dark comedy with a dash of nail-biting suspense.
Written by Melbourne-based actor Michael Nikou (who also stars in the film) it is the directorial debut feature film of James Vinson, telling the story of a career-crazed journalist who is tasked with writing his first exposé piece on the disappearance of a mother-turned-infamous-socialite. But when a dark family secret of his own threatens to destabilise his career, the scribe's ambition drives him to get the scoop at all costs, causing his personal and professional lives to violently collide.
Nikou (Fisk) plays the role of the unhinged journalist, Derek Verity, while Thornton plays his dysfunctional wine-sculling actress mother, Vivianne. The stellar ensemble cast also includes Ra Chapman (Wentworth), Ryan A. Murphy (In Our Blood), Elle Mandalis (Head On), Pia Miranda (Looking For Alibrandi) and Kate Lister (Clickbait).
Producer Monique Fisher says, "We are so thrilled by the response Slant has garnered from cinema operators and audiences alike.
"We can't thank Sigrid enough for her continued dedication and support for the film, including travelling around the country with us to participate in every post-screening Q&A. We have become a very close-knit family.
"The buzz generated from the hard work of everyone involved has really paid off and we're so excited that Australian film lovers will be able to see Slant in the environment it was made for … the cinema!"
Thornton has starred in many of the films now regarded as classics of Australian cinema. They include George Miller's box office hit The Man From Snowy River (Fox Classics), The Lighthorsemen (RKO), directed by Simon Wincer, Slate Wyn And Me (Hemdale) and The Man From Snowy River II (Disney - Touchstone). In 2015, she won the AACTA Award for Best Guest or Supporting Actress in a Television Drama for her role as Judy Garland in the 2015 miniseries, Peter Allen: Not The Boy Next Door.
Director Vinson is known for his television credits which include Wentworth and Glitch. In addition to Nikou and Fisher, producers are Alexandros Ouzas and Tessa Mansfield-Hung.
Distribution in Australia is handled by Bim Bim Films, Around the Moon Productions and From the Hearth.
Participating cinemas and event screenings to date are:
Thursday, October 5 (Melbourne)
Cinema Nova - Event screening with filmmaker Q&A with director James Vinson, cast members Sigrid Thornton, Ryan Murphy and producer Monique Fisher.
Friday, October 6 (Hobart)
State Cinema - Even screening with filmmaker Q&A with director James Vinson, cast members Sigrid Thornton and Michael Nikou (also writer/producer) and producer Monique Fisher.
Thursday, October 12 (National release date)
VICTORIA
Lido Cinemas (Melbourne)
Regent Cinemas (Ballarat)
Echuca Paramount Cinemas (Echuca)
NEW SOUTH WALES
Ritz Cinemas (Sydney)
QUEENSLAND
Angelika Film Centre (Brisbane)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Wallis Cinema Mitcham (Adelaide)
Wallis Cinema Mt Barker (Adelaide Hills)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Luna Palace Cinemas (Perth)
TASMANIA
State Cinema (Hobart)
Slant was completed with the assistance of the Queer Screen Film Fund.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Erin Jameson | erin(at)jamesonandco(dot)com | +61 419 323 663