Seventeen-year-old Jesse (Lachlan Buchanan) lives in Newcastle, the center of Australia's booming coal industry and home to some of the country's most beautiful surfing beaches. The stark contrast of these surroundings encapsulates Jesse's choices in life: will he become the champion surfer his older brother Victor (Reshad Strik) failed to be, or will he follow in Victor's footsteps toward bitterness and self-destruction? As Jesse grapples with his own self-sabotaging tendencies, his twin brother Fergus (Xavier Samuel) struggles with his own sexuality while trying to fit in with Jesse's surfing crowd, and Victor strives to overcome rage over his failed dreams. When Jesse and Fergus decide to sneak away for a weekend to camp out and surf with a group of friends – Nathan (Ben Milliken), Scotty (Israel Cannan) and Andy (Kirk Jenkins) – they set off a chain of events that could change their lives forever. After Victor unexpectedly arrives on the scene, new relationships are formed, friendships are altered, and the brothers may never see each other in the same way again. Writer and director Dan Castle crafts an impressive feature debut-combining the ravishing elements of surfing movies with a compelling family drama. The cast is an incredible ensemble of up-and-comers that make both the visceral surfing sequences and tender emotional scenes seem effortless.The amazingly in-your-face wave-riding, and the performances and presence of the core group of guys provides dimensionality to the film. Milliken plays the charismatic role of Nathan – a rich, good looking and talented guy who seems to have it all but would rather have a good time with his mates and catch a few waves then follow in the family business. An avid surfer in real life, Milliken brings more to the role then just the love of the sport – he provides the film’s comic relief and shows his musical talent of playing the guitar.
This film is not your typical surfer movie and not at all what I expected...it's about discovery and what binds us to our dreams.
Written & directed by: Dan Castle
Past Festivals:
Tribeca Film Festival (World premiere)
Seattle International Film Festival
Upcoming Festivals:
Atlantic Film Festival – September 11-20, 2008
Daytona Beach Film Festival – September 19-21, 2008
San Diego Film Festival – September 25-28, 2008
Hawaii International Film Festival – October 9-19, 2008
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival – October 13 – November12, 2008
Rehoboth Independent Film Festival – November 5-9, 2008
Release Schedule:
Australia: October 16, 2008
United States: Spring 2009
Website: www.newcastlemovie.com
