Before hitting the big screen nationally, the film was in the limelight for a red-carpet Australian premiere on 20 August at Adelaide’s newly restored Piccadilly Theatre – a fitting setting for a story deeply rooted in South Australia’s landscape and creative talent.
The film marks the directorial debut of South Australian-based Timothy David, and was penned by fellow local Sally Gifford. It features a standout cast including Rebecca Breeds (Clarice), Erik Thomson (How To Please A Woman), Adelaide Clemens (The Great Gatsby) and Joel Jackson (Jungle).
After debuting to a packed house as the Closing Night feature at the Adelaide Film Festival, Kangaroo Island has continued to wow audiences throughout a preview campaign marked by sold-out screenings and standing ovations.
At its heart, Kangaroo Island follows Lou Wells (Breeds), a once-promising Hollywood actor whose life has hit a wall. Struggling and broke, she returns reluctantly to the wild beauty of Kangaroo Island after accepting a plane ticket from her estranged father Rory (Thomson). But the reunion with Rory and her sister Freya (Clemens) is far from simple, as long-buried family tensions rise to the surface – along with a life-changing secret.
Combining humour, heartbreak and a universal human story, the film resonates deeply with viewers of all ages, particularly those reflecting on life’s turning points and the ties that bind.
Director Timothy David said: “We wanted to create a bold and philosophical film that explores our reality that life is as beautiful as it is traumatic. And how people deal with that determines the quality of their life and relationships.”
As much a visual feast as it is an emotional journey, Kangaroo Island places one of the world’s most spectacular locations on centre stage – its sweeping coastlines and raw natural beauty captured with stunning cinematography.
Fellow South Australian director, Scott Hicks, said of the film: “Exceptional performance, cinematography, design, editing – all of which points to great producing and directing.”
For Kangaroo Island‘s screening times, head here.
