ausfilm

John Day
Minister for Planning; Culture and the Arts; Science and Innovation

Wed 08 June, 2011

Locally-made and supported feature film Blame has already received a strong reception internationally and nationally ahead of its Australian cinema release on June 16.

Ahead of its Perth premiere this evening, Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the thriller received $750,000 from ScreenWest’s West Coast Visions, an initiative designed to develop promising local filmmakers.

“Blame attracted strong international marketplace interest last month following its successful screenings at the Cannes International Film Festival in the Cannes Cinephiles program as part of the Cinema des Antipodes section, securing sales in North America, France, UK and China,” Mr Day said.

“The success of Blame is a testament to the importance of continuing to provide these stepping-stone opportunities to support our talented local filmmakers.

“Congratulations to Perth producers Ryan Hodgson and Melissa Kelly who have really maximised this opportunity and encapsulated the ethos of the West Coast Visions initiative.”

The film has achieved a number of prestigious accolades on the festival circuit being officially selected for the Melbourne, Toronto and Chicago International film festivals as well as having the honour of screening as part of the closing gala at last year’s CinéfestOZ Film Festival.

The Minister said it was pleasing to see local talent receiving such a warm reception from critics and audiences alike.

“The film’s reception proves there is a definite place for powerful, well-crafted Western Australian stories,” he said.

“I am confident Blame will continue its strong engagement with audiences when it is released in cinemas next week.”

Blame is the first feature film for producers Ryan Hodgson and Melissa Kelly (Factor 30 Films) and co-producer Michael Robinson (3monkeysfilms) and writer-director Michael Henry.

Blame was filmed entirely in the Perth Hills with an ensemble cast of Australia’s rising talent, including Sophie Lowe (Beautiful Kate, Blessed), Simon Stone (Balibo, Kokoda, Jindabyne), Kestie Morassi (Wolf Creek, Underbelly), Mark Winter (Balibo, Van Diemen’s Land), Ashley Zukerman (Rush) and Damian de Montenas (Underbelly, Secret Life of Us).

Minister’s office  – 9213 6600