Face to Face wins at Santa Barbara fest
Michael Rymer’s independent feature Face to Face has won the Best Film award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
“I am absolutely thrilled that the film has won this award at its first ever screening, and am delighted that this low budget minnow has been lauded by critics and film goers alike,” said Rymer.
The micro-budget film was financed independently and shot over 12 days in Melbourne, and stars Vince Colosimo, Sigrid Thornton, Luke Ford and troubled actor Matthew Newton. The actors are also shareholders in the film.
Face to Face is based on transcripts from actual conflict resolution sessions. In the film, Wayne, a young scaffold construction worker, rams into the back of his boss’ car in a fit of anger at being sacked. Rather than going straight to court, he opts for a community conference to discuss the events that led to such a violent reaction.
It was adapted from a play by David Williamson.
“The movie focuses on 10 very dissimilar Australians bound together by a complex pattern of relationships and shared histories. They come together to navigate through a series of complex issues to help determine the fate of this troubled young man. It deals with the question of workplace bullying which has been the subject of debate not only in Australia but throughout the world,” said Rymer.
The film does not have an Australian distributor yet.
Face to Face
FACE TO FACE WINS TOP HONOURS ON DEBUT AT SANTA BARBARA FILM FESTIVAL
Face to Face, a full-length feature film by Melbourne director Michael Rymer was the big winner at the prestigious Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Face to Face, written by Australian playwright David Williamson and adapted for film by Rymer, was shot in just 12 days on location in Melbourne. It features an impressive cast of A-list Australian actors including Matthew Newton, Vince Colosimo, Sigrid Thornton and Luke Ford, all of whom are shareholders in the movie.
The independently financed feature is based on transcripts from actual conflict resolution sessions. Wayne, a young scaffold construction worker, rams into the back of his boss’ car in a fit of anger at being sacked. Rather than going straight to court, he opts for a community conference to discuss the events that led to such a violent reaction.
Rymer worked the script into a screenplay but it has only been in recent times, since the advent of DSLR camera technology, that he saw the opportunity to produce Face to Face as a low budget feature.
Rymer’s adaptation of the play sees the feature film as ‘an ensemble piece, in the tradition of 12 Angry Men.’ ‘The movie focuses on 10 very dissimilar Australians bound together by a complex pattern of relationships and shared histories,’ says Rymer. They come together to navigate through a series of complex issues to help determine the fate of this troubled young man. It deals with the question of workplace bullying which has been the subject of debate not only in Australia but throughout the world.’
‘I am absolutely thrilled
Face to Face
FACE TO FACE WINS TOP HONOURS ON DEBUT AT SANTA BARBARA FILM FESTIVAL
Face to Face, a full-length feature film by Melbourne director Michael Rymer was the big winner at the prestigious Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Face to Face, written by Australian playwright David Williamson and adapted for film by Rymer, was shot in just 12 days on location in Melbourne. It features an impressive cast of A-list Australian actors including Matthew Newton, Vince Colosimo, Sigrid Thornton and Luke Ford, all of whom are shareholders in the movie.
The independently financed feature is based on transcripts from actual conflict resolution sessions. Wayne, a young scaffold construction worker, rams into the back of his boss’ car in a fit of anger at being sacked. Rather than going straight to court, he opts for a community conference to discuss the events that led to such a violent reaction.
Rymer worked the script into a screenplay but it has only been in recent times, since the advent of DSLR camera technology, that he saw the opportunity to produce Face to Face as a low budget feature.
Rymer’s adaptation of the play sees the feature film as ‘an ensemble piece, in the tradition of 12 Angry Men.’ ‘The movie focuses on 10 very dissimilar Australians bound together by a complex pattern of relationships and shared histories,’ says Rymer. They come together to navigate through a series of complex issues to help determine the fate of this troubled young man. It deals with the question of workplace bullying which has been the subject of debate not only in Australia but throughout the world.’
‘I am absolutely thrilled that Face to Face was awarded the 2011 Santa Barbara feature award at its first ever screening and am delighted that this low budget minnow has been lauded by critics and film goers alike.’ says Rymer.
‘Face to Face also provides an opportunity to encourage further discussion about this increasingly troubling phenomena whilst informing the public of an alternative approach to justice that seeks to understand the underlying issues involved.’ he said.
Michael Rymer Filmography
Revolution (Pilot 2009)
Battlestar Galactica TV series- (2004-2009). Peabody, Hugo and AFI award winner and nominated for 2009 Emmy,
Queen of The Damned (2002)
Perfume (2001),
In Too Deep (1999),
Allie and Me (1997),
Angel Baby (1995) 7 AFI Awards
For additional information or media inquiries please contact
Anthony Healey: 0407 706 955 or Josie D’Arino: 0421 274 96
that Face to Face was awarded the 2011 Santa Barbara feature award at its first ever screening and am delighted that this low budget minnow has been lauded by critics and film goers alike.’ says Rymer.
‘Face to Face also provides an opportunity to encourage further discussion about this increasingly troubling phenomena whilst informing the public of an alternative approach to justice that seeks to understand the underlying issues involved.’ he said.
Michael Rymer Filmography
Revolution (Pilot 2009)
Battlestar Galactica TV series- (2004-2009). Peabody, Hugo and AFI award winner and nominated for 2009 Emmy,
Queen of The Damned (2002)
Perfume (2001),
In Too Deep (1999),
Allie and Me (1997),
Angel Baby (1995) 7 AFI Awards
For additional information or media inquiries please contact
Anthony Healey: 0407 706 955 or Josie D’Arino: 0421 274 96
