deadCENTER to Celebrate Diversity with ‘World Fest’
Free Outdoor Event to Feature Award-Winning Musical Comedy, Filmmaker Awards
OKLAHOMA CITY – deadCENTER Film Festival today announced that the award-winning Australian musical comedy Bran Nue Dae will be the featured film for a free outdoor event on Saturday, June 12 in downtown Oklahoma City.
The public is invited to celebrate cultural and creative diversity at “World Fest,” an annual closing night event held on The Lawn at N. E.K. Gaylord Blvd. and N.W. 3rd St. The event begins at 7 p.m., and will host a wide variety of community groups, concessions, musicians and artists. At 9 p.m., filmmakers will be recognized for their talent and hard work at the deadCENTER awards ceremony. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for the film which begins at 9:30 p.m.
Last year’s free Saturday event, Peace, Love & Wavy Gravy, attracted more than 1,000 participants.
Bran Nue Dae, directed by Rachel Perkins, is a feature film adaptation of the 1990 musical of the same name. The film won the Best Feature award at the Melbourne International Film Festival and the People’s Choice award at the Toronto International Film Festival. Total running time is 88 minutes.
“This film represents the next level of craft we hope to showcase in years to come,” said deadCENTER Program Director Melissa Scaramucci. “It played at Sundance this year and the filmmakers went through the same producers track as deadCENTER alums Chad Burris and Sterlin Harjo. The goodwill of the filmmakers towards Oklahoma is what ensured the presence of this high-profile film at the festival before it expands nationally. We are thrilled beyond words to screen such a beautiful and encouraging film for free, outside to the general public.”
It’s the summer of 1969 and young Willie (Rocky McKenzie) is filled with the life of the idyllic old pearling port Broome, in the North of Western Australia – fishing, hanging out with his mates, and when he can, his girl Rosie (Jessica Mauboy). However his mother Theresa (Ningali Lawford-Wolf) has great hopes for him and she returns him to the religious mission in Perth for further schooling. After being punished by Father Benedictus (Geoffrey Rush) for an act of youthful rebellion, Willie runs away from the mission. But to where… he’s too ashamed to go home, it will break his mother’s heart.
Down on his luck he meets an old fella, who he calls ‘Uncle’ Tadpole, and together they con a couple of hippies into taking them on the 2,500 km journey through spectacular landscape back to Broome. Willie learns the hard and funny lessons he needs to get home, all the while pursued by Father Benedictus.
“This film is a charming, bright musical and in response to that exuberant tone, we’ve built a ‘World Fest’ to highlight the best parts of this film and our city,” explains event producer, Lance McDaniel. “We’ve invited a host of groups that support the cinematic arts and cultural diversity in our community. So come early, stake your claim on The Lawn, tour the booths, enjoy beautiful performances, and have a snowcone!”
The deadCENTER Film Festival is June 9-13, screening more than 100 films in 7 downtown locations. To learn more about the film screenings, times, venues, educational panels…or just to stay in the deadCENTER of indie film action, please visit us at: www.deadcenterfilm.org.
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Contact: Kim Haywood
405.246.9233
Movie Website: http://www.brannuedaemovie.com/#/news-and-press
Download Images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39527227@N08/
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