The Sapphires to open Melbourne International Film Festival

The Melbourne International Film Festival will open with the Australian premiere of The Sapphires, set in the 1960s around an Indigenous all-girl soul group taken from the outback to Vietnam to entertain the troops.

The announcement:

The 61st Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is proud to announce that the 2012 Festival will open with the Australian Premiere of The Sapphires. Australia’s brightest stars and biggest names in film and entertainment will walk the red carpet at one of the most anticipated events on the Australian film calendar.

Festival Director Michelle Carey commented “MIFF is thrilled to be presenting The Sapphires straight from Cannes. Not only is this one of the most anticipated Australian films of the year, a Victorian story and a brilliant filmmaking team, the film will leave audiences on an immense high, ready to kick up their heels at what is sure to be one of the most celebratory parties of the year.”