Editorial Staff
Following the outstanding reception at the opening night of the Melbourne International Film Festival, CinemaPlus and Illumination Films have crafted a unique national event release for Paul Cox’s “Force of Destiny” including presenting the film at major film festivals, a limited edition Cinema Programme and a series of screenings featuring special guests and speakers.
In opening MIFF, Paul Cox said “The proof of our lives is the love we leave behind. If I had to live life again I would be crazier than I have been. I would laugh more and cry less and would be more aware of the fact that life must be an act of love whatever the consequences. “Force of Destiny” is an outpouring of my love.”
Robert Connolly said “The success of The Turning’s event screening approach is something CinemaPlus is further developing with the release of FORCE OF DESTINY. We are thrilled and excited to be presenting this very special film in a very special way.”
In the first wave of event announcements, “Force of Destiny” will screen as Opening Night of the Darwin International Film Festival in September and the Albury Border Mail Film Festival in August. Major festival presentations include Cinéfest Oz and Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival special screenings.
Many screenings will be presented with a Q&A or special introduction with director Paul Cox, actors David Wenham, Hannah Fredericksen, Jacqueline McKenzie, Terry Norris & Julia Blake, producers Maggie Miles & Mark Patterson, transplant recipients Derryn Hinch & Paulie Stewart and other creatives including sculptor Trefor Prest who created the work for the film.
The “Force of Destiny” release will provide cinema audiences with contextual information on director Paul Cox and the personal experiences he has poured into this film. The filmmakers have collaborated with DonateLife on a unique collection of filmed Micro Stories, portraits of people impacted by Organ Donation, and with the Cancer Council on an exquisite Cinema Programme giving insight into the making of the film and important information for people living with cancer.
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo9meMwBePw
List of screenings available below and here: http://www.forceofdestiny.com.au/#!screenings/c1nsf
David Wenham stars as Robert, a renowned sculptor diagnosed with cancer of the liver. While reeling from this news he meets Maya (Shahana Goswami), an Indian marine biologist who comes from a different world, a different reality. Robert’s passion for Maya intensifies as he confronts the agony and ecstasy of finding the love that has evaded him his entire life, just as his body is about to be taken from him. New hope comes when he’s placed on the transplant waiting list.
“Force of Destiny” is a most extraordinary love story from veteran filmmaker Paul Cox, made all the more poignant because it’s influenced by on his own experience of falling in love, of living with cancer, and a lifechanging liver transplant.
David Wenham and Shahana Goswami are joined by an international cast including Jacqueline McKenzie, Hannah Fredericksen, Seema Biswas, Mohan Agashe and Terry Norris.
FORCE OF DESTINY EVENTS – FIRST SCREENINGS & EVENTS ANNOUNCED
VIC
Sat 15 Aug MIFF Talking Pictures: Paul Cox In Conversation with David Stratton @ The Wheeler Centre
Wed 26 Aug Cinema Nova – Q&A with Paul Cox
Fri 28 Aug Cinema Nova – HLTV Fundraiser
Sat 29 Aug Cinema Nova – Q&A with Paul Cox, Terry Norris & Julia Blake
Fri 4 Sept Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
Thu 17 Sept The Wheeler Centre’s Midday Shot – Paul Cox & Paulie Stewart
NSW
Wed 19 Aug Border Mail Film Festival – Opening Night Village Cinemas, Albury
Sat 5 Sept Palace Verona – Q&A with Paul Cox
Mon 7 Sept Randwick Ritz – Q&A with Paul Cox, Presented by FilmInk
Wed 7 Oct Riverside Theatres – Castaldi in Focus
Sun 18 Oct South West Roxy
ACT
Sun 13 Sept Palace Electric – Q&A with Paul Cox
QLD
Fri 11 Sept Palace Centro – Q&A with Paul Cox and Maxine Williamson
Presented by Asia Pacific Screen Awards and Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival
TAS
Sun 13 Sept Village Cinemas, Launceston
Mon 14 Sept Village Cinemas, Hobart
SA
Sat 19 Sept Palace Nova Eastend – Q&A with Paul Cox and Mark Patterson
Tue 10 Nov Mercury Cinema, Adelaide
WA
Thu 27 Aug Cinéfest Oz Gala Event – with David Wenham, Busselton
Mon 14 Sept The Windsor – Q&A with Producer Maggie Miles
Mon 21 Sept Cinema Paradiso – Q&A with Paul Cox
NT
Wed 16 Sept Darwin International Film Festival – Opening Night
Sun 27 Sept Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs
