Christmess
CHRISTMESS
CHRISTMESS
(d. Heath Davis, 2023)
99 min + raffle & Aussie snack shop - come early!
Starring: Steve Le Marquand, Hannah Joy & Darren Gilshenan
Aussie rating: M (mature themes, drug use and coarse language)
UK cert: 15
14 DECEMBER 2024 - 3pm
Finsbury Park Picturehouse
Unit 1, Cinema LS, 17 City N Pl, Finsbury Park, London N4 3FU
SYNOPSIS
The London Australian Film Society returns to the Finsbury Park Picturehouse for its annual Christmas screening, and the UK Premiere of the hilariously dark festive dramedy, CHRISTMESS (Heath Davis, 2023).
Struggling with alcohol addiction and fresh out of rehab, a once-famous actor Christ Flint (Steve Le Marquand – Broke, Red Dog: True Blue) is reduced to living in a half-way house and a part-time job as a suburban Santa Claus.
A chance encounter with his estranged daughter sets him on the road to recovery and redemption, aided (and sometimes hindered) by a pair of misfit housemates, live-in sponsor Nick (Darren Gilshenan – Colin from Accounts) and aspiring singer Joy (a debut performance from indie rocker and Middle Kids singer-songwriter Hannah Joy).
Full of big-hearted performances and deep belly laughs, Christmess proved a surprise hit with Australian audiences last year, and we’re sure London audiences will love it just as much!
Australian snacks and sweets will be on sale, and a special festive raffle will take place before the screening - includes 3 bottles of festive Aussie sparkling shiraz to be won.
REVIEWS
“The audience is left with hope... Like great Australian movies before it, this one tells a down-to-earth story and will be playing for days afterwards in the minds of the audience.”
Northern Beaches Advocate
“Heath Davis has not only made one of the best Australian films about Christmas, he’s made one of the best films about Christmas in recent cinema. Christmess is the major miracle independent Australian cinema needs." The Curb
"if you are looking for a different Christmas movie, this sad sack santa will deliver"
The Australian
WHY WE CHOSE THIS FILM
Laila (LAF director)
"Steve Le Marquand is one of my favourite Australian actors - if you've ever seen Last Train to Freo
(which I recently re-watched and was stunned how well it holds up) you'll know exactly why. And he hasn't let us down with this one either. Think Bad Santa
with depth and minus the creepiness."
Steve (LAF co-programmer) "On paper, this might seem like just another clichéd Christmas film about the redemption of a fallen man, but it's impossible not to love, laugh and cringe along with these characters, who are so expertly drawn by Davis, and so beautifully brought to life via a trio of excellent performances. At the end of the day, this isn't just a great Aussie Christmas film, it's just a great Aussie film."
INCLUDED IN THE TICKET
Ticket price includes:
Raffles sold on the night
Australian snacks and lollies (sweets) will be on sale