(2023 / Heath Davis / Australia / 99 minutes / Comedy-Drama / BBFC Rating: 15)
UK PREMIERE
The London Australian Film Society returns to Finsbury Park Picturehouse for its annual Christmas screening, and the UK premiere of the hilariously dark festive dramedy, CHRISTMESS (Heath Davis, 2023).
Struggling with alcohol addiction and fresh out of rehab, a once-famous actor Christ Flint (Steve Le Marquand – Broke, Red Dog: True Blue) is reduced to half-way house living and a part-time job as a suburban Santa. A chance encounter with his estranged daughter sets him on the road to recovery, his redemption, aided (and sometimes hindered) by his misfit housemates, live-in sponsor Nick (Darren Gilshenan – Colin from Accounts) and aspiring singer Joy (a debut performance from indie rocker and Middle Kids singer-songwriter Hannah Joy).
Full of big-hearted performances and deep belly laughs, Christmess was much-loved by critics (coming in at No 5 on The Guardian’s Top 10 Australian Films of 2023 list), and proved a surprise hit with Australian audiences last year. We’re sure London audiences will love it just as much!
Australian snacks and sweets will be on sale, and a special festive raffle will take place before the screening.
“Heath Davis has not only made one of the best Australian films about Christmas, he’s made one of the best films about Christmas in recent cinema.” – Nadine Whitney, The Curb
“an antidote to those photogenic coupled-up saccharine Christmas rom-coms that fill up our streaming services at this time of year” – Cris Kennedy, Canberra Times
