Indie movie comedy
Overview
In short: we need YOUR HELP financing this small but special film with a giant heart.
As well as being a part of Australian film history there are some fantastic perks on offer. But, best of all, you can help us make a REAL difference. With its’ strong social message of mental health awareness, alcohol addiction, community and resilience, CHRISTMESS has the potential to courage not only conversation about these pertinent issues but also inspire change and connection in this trying time.
The birth of Christmess
After the challenging and life changing events of 2020 – and experiencing Christmas in lock down – I really wanted to create something that spoke to the NOW. Something ‘inspiring’, something ‘hopeful’, something ‘honest’ but also something centred on the power of ‘community’ and ‘human connection’.
Like many of my friends in the arts, COVID-19 has had a profound impact on my livelihood as well as my mental health, so I was determined to produce a project which could/would prove not only therapeutic but perhaps even cathartic for all involved. Indie filmmaking is the ultimate form of collaboration and after such long periods of disconnect, I really was driven to construct a vehicle, which would reunite (and employ) my friends and colleagues both on and off screen.
And so, CHRISTMESS was born.
A Christmess tale
Christmess is my fourth feature film and I’m so excited to be commencing another crowd funding campaign. For the team and I, the most rewarding aspect of our past films BROKE, BOOK WEEK and LOCUSTS has been the personal connections we have made (and continue to make) along the way especially with our initial supporters, who have been with us since day one. That relationship has allowed us the opportunity to share the experience with our audience and there’s nothing more satisfying than that.
From our writer/director Heath Davis, Director of Photography Chris Bland, Editor Romain Mongin, Make Up/Hair Artist Candice Hickson, 1st AD Stefanie Foerster through to EP Julia Scales – we are delighted to say most of the key crew are back on deck to bring CHRISTMESS to life.
Not only are we all good mates, we have now developed a wonderful short hand, which will be again be integral in bringing Christmess home on such a tiny budget. It really is a labour of love for us all.
The story of Christmess
Fresh out of rehab, a desperate, once famous actor – Chris Flint – takes a job as a Santa Claus in a suburban strip mall where he unexpectedly encounters his long estranged daughter and infant grandson. With the love and support of his kind and caring sponsor, Carol, and a young, sharp tongued, gay musician also in recovery named Joy, Chris sets about staying sober in order to win his daughter’s forgiveness for Christmas.
“Christmess” is an irreverently funny yet sobering celebration of the Christmas (and human) spirit and a reminder that the only gifts that truly matter can’t be wrapped up and placed under the tree: friendship, family, forgiveness and love.
Cast of Christmess
Attached (thus far)
Steve Le Marquand (Broke, Les Norton, Two Hands)
Susan Prior (Book Week, Aftertaste, Animal Kingdom)
Hannah Joy (Lead singer of acclaimed indie rock band Middle Kids making her acting debut)
Plus more to come soon
Distribution
We plan to go into production in ready for Christmas in July! That means CHRISTMESS will hit theatres this Christmas in Australia before hitting the small screen. The plan is for a day and date release for the big and small screen so everyone can enjoy the movie this Christmas.
Filming Locations
CHRISTMESS will be filmed across Western Sydney (the west pole) including the undiscovered Macarthur Region. What’s more, we plan to showcase both the area as well as its talented artists to a global audience.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP!
Like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/christmessmovie, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, tell your friends to get involved and come be apart of the process!!!