All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane
Encyclopedia
All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane is a 2007 Australian
Romance-Comedy
film by upcoming Director
Louise Alston
and written by Stephen Vagg
. It follows Anthea, a 25-year-old girl who hates her job and has to sit back and watch as all her friends move away from her hometown, Brisbane, to make a better life.
. She is tempted to leave herself, but is opposed by her longtime best platonic male friend Michael (Matt Zeremes).
Michael thinks people who leave Brisbane are copycats who follow the crowd; he is quite happy to stay in Brisbane, he is in a stable job and a stable very low-maintenance 'sex-with-the-ex' relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Stephanie (Sarah Kennedy). In short, he is in a rut.
Anthea’s temptation to leave Brisbane increases with the impending departure of her flatmate Kath (Cindy Nelson). However, she then hears that her ex-boyfriend Jake (Gyton Grantley) is coming back to Brisbane to live. To Michael’s annoyance, she dreams of a great future with him.
Michael is then thrown out of his comfort zone by starting a new relationship with a girl he meets at work; Simone (Romany Lee). Slightly “alternative” and good natured, Simone is totally different from the sorts of girls he normally deals with, and he finds himself in a relationship over which he does not have total control.
On her last day in Australia
, Anthea and Michael finally resolve their feelings for each other.
's Cement Box Theatre, where Director Louise Alston first saw it. She could see that the story would make an ideal feature film and worked with writer Stephen Vagg on developing a script.
Producer Jade van der Lei then became interested in the film and was able to raise a budget of . The film was shot in the middle of a Queensland summer, January 2006, over a three week period. Afterward, The filmmakers successfully applied for post-production funding from the Australian Film Commission
, which enabled additional shooting. The film completed post production early 2007 and made its world debut at the 2007 Brisbane International Film Festival
.
The film was shot on location in such Brisbane suburbs as New Farm
, Paddington
, Kangaroo Point
, Brookfield
and Toowong
. It features such iconic Brisbane landmarks as the Storey Bridge and the Royal Exchange Hotel
.
in 2007. The film received a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2008 AFI Awards
.
(2011), including actors Cindy Nelson, Francesca Gasteen
, Ryan Johnson
and Charlotte Gregg
.
Cinema of Australia
Cinema of Australia, more commonly referred to as the Australian film industry, refers to the system of production, distribution, and exhibition of films in Australia. Film production commenced in Australia in 1906 with the production of The Story of the Kelly Gang, the earliest feature film made...
Romance-Comedy
Romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily"...
film by upcoming Director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
Louise Alston
Louise Alston
Louise Alston is a Sydney-based film director and producer. Born in Wagga Wagga she studied at the Australian Film Television and Radio School after which she created and produced two television series, The Variety Show at the End of the World and Brilliant Lives...
and written by Stephen Vagg
Stephen Vagg
Stephen Vagg is an Australian writer. He wrote the films All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane, based on his play, and Jucy, as well as a number of plays and episodes of the TV show Home and Away. He is the author of Rod Taylor: An Aussie in Hollywood, the first full length biography of actor Rod...
. It follows Anthea, a 25-year-old girl who hates her job and has to sit back and watch as all her friends move away from her hometown, Brisbane, to make a better life.
Synopsis
Anthea (Charlotte Gregg) is undergoing a crisis of confidence: overworked, no boyfriend, and now all her friends are leaving BrisbaneBrisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
. She is tempted to leave herself, but is opposed by her longtime best platonic male friend Michael (Matt Zeremes).
Michael thinks people who leave Brisbane are copycats who follow the crowd; he is quite happy to stay in Brisbane, he is in a stable job and a stable very low-maintenance 'sex-with-the-ex' relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Stephanie (Sarah Kennedy). In short, he is in a rut.
Anthea’s temptation to leave Brisbane increases with the impending departure of her flatmate Kath (Cindy Nelson). However, she then hears that her ex-boyfriend Jake (Gyton Grantley) is coming back to Brisbane to live. To Michael’s annoyance, she dreams of a great future with him.
Michael is then thrown out of his comfort zone by starting a new relationship with a girl he meets at work; Simone (Romany Lee). Slightly “alternative” and good natured, Simone is totally different from the sorts of girls he normally deals with, and he finds himself in a relationship over which he does not have total control.
On her last day in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Anthea and Michael finally resolve their feelings for each other.
Production
Originally, All My Friends are Leaving Brisbane was a stage performance at the University of QueenslandUniversity of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
's Cement Box Theatre, where Director Louise Alston first saw it. She could see that the story would make an ideal feature film and worked with writer Stephen Vagg on developing a script.
Producer Jade van der Lei then became interested in the film and was able to raise a budget of . The film was shot in the middle of a Queensland summer, January 2006, over a three week period. Afterward, The filmmakers successfully applied for post-production funding from the Australian Film Commission
Australian Film Commission
The Australian Film Commission was an Australian government agency with a mandate to promote the creation and distribution of films in Australia as well as to preserve the country's film history. It also had a production arm responsible for production and commissioning of films for government...
, which enabled additional shooting. The film completed post production early 2007 and made its world debut at the 2007 Brisbane International Film Festival
Brisbane International Film Festival
Brisbane International Film Festival held in Brisbane provides a focus for film culture in Queensland, Australia. The festival has taken place since 1992 and focuses on films from the Asia-Pacific region. The event offers films including features, documentaries, shorts, experimental, silent films...
.
The film was shot on location in such Brisbane suburbs as New Farm
New Farm, Queensland
New Farm is an inner suburb of Brisbane, Australia, located 2 km east of the Brisbane CBD on a large bend of the Brisbane River. New Farm is partly surrounded by the Brisbane River, with land access from the north west through Fortitude Valley and from the north through...
, Paddington
Paddington, Queensland
Paddington is an inner suburb of Brisbane, Australia located 2 km west of the Brisbane CBD. As is common with other suburbs in the area, Paddington is located on a number of steep ridges and hills. It was originally settled in the 1860s. Many original and distinctive Queenslander homes can...
, Kangaroo Point
Kangaroo Point, Queensland
Kangaroo Point is a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia located directly east across the Brisbane River from the Brisbane central business district.- Geography :...
, Brookfield
Brookfield, Queensland
Brookfield is a suburb of Brisbane, Australia located approximately 13 km to the west of the Brisbane CBD. Brookfield was named by Mrs J. S. Brimblecombe due to the creeks and gullies in the area.-Geography:...
and Toowong
Toowong, Queensland
Toowong is an inner suburb of Brisbane, Australia which is located 5 km west of the Brisbane CBD. At the centre of Toowong is a commercial precinct including Toowong Village and several office buildings...
. It features such iconic Brisbane landmarks as the Storey Bridge and the Royal Exchange Hotel
Royal Exchange Hotel, Brisbane
The Royal Exchange Hotel, or 'RE' as it is known locally is a popular pub at the centre of Toowong, Brisbane on High Street.-Current:The Royal Exchange Hotel is a popular with local office workers and also University of Queensland students due to its proximity to the university. 'I would rather be...
.
Release
All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane was released on 27 May 2008 in Australia through Accent Film.Box Office
All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane took $42,524 at the box office in Australia, which is equivalent to $48,135 in 2009 dollars.Awards
All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane was part of the Official Selection at the Brisbane International Film FestivalBrisbane International Film Festival
Brisbane International Film Festival held in Brisbane provides a focus for film culture in Queensland, Australia. The festival has taken place since 1992 and focuses on films from the Asia-Pacific region. The event offers films including features, documentaries, shorts, experimental, silent films...
in 2007. The film received a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2008 AFI Awards
AFI Awards
AFI Awards may refer to:* The American Film Institute Awards* The Australian Film Institute Awards...
.
Jucy Connection
Many of the cast and crew were used by Louise Alston on her next feature film, JucyJucy
Jucy is an Australian comedy feature film produced in 2010 about the womance between two best female friends. The film was written by Stephen Vagg, directed by Louise Alston and produced by Kelly Chapman...
(2011), including actors Cindy Nelson, Francesca Gasteen
Francesca Gasteen
Francesca Gasteen is a Brisbane-based actress best known for playing the lead role in the 2010 film Jucy, which was partly based on the real-life friendship between herself and co-star Cindy Nelson. The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival....
, Ryan Johnson
Ryan Johnson
Ryan Johnson may refer to:*Ryan Johnson , marine biologist specializing in researching sharks*Ryan Johnson , Canadian professional ice hockey centre*Ryan Johnson , Australian actor...
and Charlotte Gregg
Charlotte Gregg
Charlotte Gregg is an Australian actress, who played the part of Charity Fernbrook in Home and Away, who was a member of the Cult 'The Believers' and prior to that was a midwife...
.
Cast
- Charlotte GreggCharlotte GreggCharlotte Gregg is an Australian actress, who played the part of Charity Fernbrook in Home and Away, who was a member of the Cult 'The Believers' and prior to that was a midwife...
as Anthea - Matt Zeremes as Michael
- Ryan JohnsonRyan Johnson (actor)Ryan Johnson , an Australian actor who has appeared in numerous television series and films.-Biography:Johnson is a native of Brisbane. He attended Somerset College in Gold Coast, Queensland, and graduated from Queensland University of Technology in 1999. His most recent film role was in the...
as Tyson - Cindy Nelson as Kath
- Romany Lee as Simone
- Sarah Kennedy as Stephanie
- Francesca GasteenFrancesca GasteenFrancesca Gasteen is a Brisbane-based actress best known for playing the lead role in the 2010 film Jucy, which was partly based on the real-life friendship between herself and co-star Cindy Nelson. The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival....
as Natalie - Micheal Priest as Aram