Locally shot film NEEDLE will get released in Perth first before the rest of Australia. NEEDLE has recently been picked up by Lionsgate in the States for the US release and is directed by John V. Soto. The film stars a pretty good aussie cast including Jessica Marais, Ben Mendolsohn, John Jarratt and Jane Badler. Check out after the jump for more details including a couple of Fundraiser Screenings.
Shot right here in Western Australia, the film tells of a college student who must unmask a killer who is harnessing the deadly powers of a sinister 18th century machine to target his friends. There are TEN SUSPECTS, SIX CLUES and ONE KILLER for audiences to find.
A murder-mystery with a supernatural theme, NEEDLE stars Jessica Marais, Ben Mendolsohn, John Jarratt and Jane Badler alongside a smattering of other great Australian actors including Michael Dorman (Daybreakers), Travis Fimmel (The Experiment, Chase), Khan Chittenden (West) and Trilby Glover (Righteous Kill).
NEEDLE was selected from over 1500 films worldwide to premiere at SCREAMFEST in Los Angeles in October 2010 where it picked up a Golden Skull award.
The film was recently reviewed by respected film critic Andrew Urban who said “Taking a fresh twist on the college campus serial killer sub genre of horror, John V. Soto delivers an engaging and well executed supernatural thriller in which mechanical voodoo is the weapon of choice for the killer.”
SBS reviewer Simon Foster enjoyed the film and says “Needle delivers in spades all the prerequisites that fans demand.”
US critic, Michael Allen, says “Needle is an interesting, well executed thriller with plenty of twists and turns to entertain horror fans. Mystery is an element which seems almost inherent to the film and while the killer can be identified about halfway through the film; the questioning and double guessing of the killer’s identity is what’s important.”
Jessica Marais was also awarded Best Supporting Actress at the British Horror Film Festival in November 2010 where the film also won Best Cinematography and Best Special Effects awards.
“To date NEEDLE has been sold in 62 countries – including North America where Lionsgate will release the film in November 2011,” says filmmaker John V. Soto.
“This is something only a handful of other Australian films achieve and we are very excited at achieving international success” Soto says.
The films international flavour is evidenced by an impressive crew list; with the score coming from Jamie Banks (director of Urban Legend), cinematography by Stephen Windon (Fast and Furious 5, The Patriot and Spielberg’s The Pacific) and editing by Jason Ballantine (Wolf Creek, Prom Night, and now The Great Gatsby).
NEEDLE will also be released on DVD, Blu-Ray, VOD and Cable TV through Sony Home Entertainment early December 2011.
Perth audiences will get the chance to catch NEEDLE in cinemas first – when it opens July 28 at Hoyts Carousel, Event Cinemas Innaloo, Ace Cinemas Rockingham, Ace Cinemas Midland, Grand Cinemas Warwick and the Piccadilly in Perth City.
Watch the trailer and find out more at the official website: http://www.needlemovie.com
Become a fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Needle/312513666330
“BE KIDS” FUNDRAISER SCREENINGS
To celebrate the film’s release, special event screenings are planned at Grand Cinemas Warwick and Piccadilly Perth city – with proceeds raised going towards Be Kids Australia Inc.
Perth Premiere
Thursday 28 July (5.15pm) – $55.00 all inclusive
Watch NEEDLE at Piccadilly Perth followed by a 2-course meal at the Arirang Korean BBQ Restaurant, Barrack Street Perth
Bookings: http://www.trybooking.com/11439
Directors Lunch
Saturday 30 July (10.30am)
Watch NEEDLE at Grand Cinemas Warwick followed by a 2-course meal at Topolinis Restaurant, Warwick
Bookings: http://www.trybooking.com/12264
Be Kids Australia Inc. works to improve the social and economic lives of children. The organization is dedicated to helping communities overcome poverty and disease through programs that encourage self-reliance and empowerment.
Find out more online at http://www.bekids.org
