Little Fish to open Melbourne International Film Festival

http://www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au/

Official site for the festival!

"MIFF 2005 is off to another extraordinary start with the inclusion of the much anticipated Little Fish. Written by Jacqueline Perske, directed by Rowan Woods with a cast that includes a luminous Cate Blanchett, the incomparable Hugo Weaving plus Noni Hazlehurst, Sam Neill, Martin Henderson and Dustin Nguyen, Little Fish (screening courtesy of Icon Film Distribution) is a deeply affecting drama about a young woman (Blanchett) who must learn to confront her fears in order to find happiness and escape the pain of her recent past. “I am honoured that we will be launching MIFF with the world premiere of Rowan Woods second feature film, a director whom I consider to be undoubtedly one of Australia’s finest,” commented Hewison. “Little Fish is, simply put, proof of Rowan’s directorial mastery as he has again crafted an imaginative, striking and brave film which features an ensemble of frankly career-defining performances from a peerless cast.”

Little Fish - Opening Night
AUSTRALIA

“I swim, I work, I sleep.” – Tracy Heart

How do you learn to love again when the pain of the past won’t let you go? When you’re 32 with a troubled history and a doubtful future, it’s a question that isn’t so easy to answer. And for Tracy Heart (Cate Blanchett) it’s a question she can no longer ignore.

After four years of treading water and redeeming herself in the eyes of her family, she has set herself the humble dream of owning her own business. But the unexpected return of her ex-boyfriend, Jonny (Dustin Nguyen), the criminal aspirations of her brother Ray (Martin Henderson) and the emotional draw of troubled family friend and ex-footy star Lionel (Hugo Weaving) creates friction for Tracy. Her dream soon becomes tangled with criminal boss Bradley ‘The Jockey’ Thompson (Sam Neill), with shattering consequences. As a result, Tracy’s bond of trust with her mother, Janelle (Noni Hazlehurst), is tested and she has no option but to confront her fears in order to find happiness.

Little Fish is story about families, about lies and about learning to love again. The stellar cast includes Lisa McCune, Susie Porter and Joel Tobeck.