Dungog Film Festival

Presented by the director, producer and cast

Thursday, 27-May-2010

6:00 PM

at: James Theatre

Credits: Dir: Belinda Chayko / Scr: Belinda Chayko / Prod: Tony Ayres, Helen Bowden, Belinda Chayko, Michael McMahon / EP: Liz Watts / Cast: John Hurt, Emily Barclay, Lily Bell-Tindley / 2010, Rated M

Duration: 88 mins

The festival's opening night film is writer/director Belinda Chayko's Lou, a beautiful and moving exploration of love and loyalty. This dramatic feature introduces the talents of young Australian actress Lily Bell-Tindley in the title role, with multi-award winning veteran British actor, John Hurt, as her Grandfather and AFI winning New Zealand actress, Emily Barclay, playing Lou's mother.

Augie March singer/songwriter Glenn Richards lends his unique voice and musical vision to the film's score. Lou marks the Aussie rock musician's first foray into films.

Synopsis:
Eleven-year-old Lou's life was instantly turned upside down when her father walked out on her mother and two sisters. She has coped by building a tough shell around her heart - afraid to let anyone hurt her again. Lou blames her mother for her father's departure and refuses to let her in. Life suddenly changes when her estranged Grandfather moves in to the family's rented home. Doyle is ill and befuddled and in his confused state, Doyle mistakes his granddaughter for his long departed wife. Lou, intrigued, plays along with the fantasy, using her bond with Doyle against her mother. As the game progresses, Lou's tough exterior is chipped away and ultimately she understands what it is to be loved - in the most unexpected of circumstances. Shot around the North Coast of NSW and inspired by Chayko's own family, Lou is not to be missed.

http://www.louthemovie.com/


Gala short screening before the feature: THE EDGE OF REALITY

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