April 2, 2019 - Celeste preview a box-office hit on Cassowary Coast

Tickets have sold out for the exclusive preview screening of the locally filmed movie Celeste in the Innisfail Shire Hall this Thursday.

More than 400 Cassowary Coast residents will walk the red carpet and have the opportunity to meet writer/director Ben Hackworth and leading man Thomas Cocquerel.

Celeste is being screened courtesy of the Cassowary Coast Regional Council in association with Innisfail Chamber of Commerce, the Innisfail Advocate and Radio 4KZ, Unicorn Films, distributor Curious Films and Screen Queensland..

The Innisfail Christmas Crew is organising refreshments, including savoury nibble packs ($5) and popcorn and chocolate. A cash bar (no cards) will be operating before and after the screening. The volunteer community group will receive $5 from each ticket sold for this year’s Innisfail Christmas Carnivale street event.

Paronella Park, where the film was shot, is offering 250 ticket holders a two-year free pass to the beautiful castle and grounds for a gold coin donation on Thursday night. All money donated will be passed on to the ‘Buy A Cow’ appeal for western graziers affected by first drought and then floods.

Judy Evans from Paronella Park said ticket holders making a gold coin donation would be given a card, which they needed to activate within three months to receive a two-year entry ticket to Paronella Park.

“If you love Paronella Park on the big screen, come and see it for real,” Ms Evans said.

“Card holders can call into the front office at Mena Creek to activate the card and then return at their leisure to visit the castle and grounds as often as they wish over the next 24 months. We are hoping that people who haven’t been to Paronella Park in years will take this opportunity to visit once again, as well as first-time visitors coming to see what is so special.”

Cassowary Coast Mayor John Kremastos said he hoped the community would dress up for the occasion and enter into the spirit of a special night here on the Cassowary Coast.

“We have organised a fantastic light show on the façade of the Shire Hall and are rolling out the red carpet. It will be fun to see people we know on the big screen alongside notable Australian actors,” Cr Kremastos said.

“We live in a special part of the world and it will be good to see it showcased in Celeste. This event has been a terrific collaboration between Council, the Innisfail Chamber of Commerce, the Innisfail Advocate. Radio 4KZ and the producers, Unicorn Films. It’s all happening here on the Cassowary Coast!”

CCRC Tourism Coordinator Richard Blanchette, who has been liaising with Melbourne-based Unicorn Films, said the doors will open at 6pm and the film will start at 7pm. A question and answer session will be held immediately following the film.

Celeste is an intoxicating tale of love, betrayal and Schubert, set amidst the bohemian world of opera and a remote rainforest in Tropical North Queensland. It stars Radha Mitchell, Thomas Cocquerel, Nadine Garner and Odessa Young with supporting actors and extras cast from the Far North. It was co-written by the late Australian theatre star Bille Brown, after whom Queensland Theatre named its refurbished theatre alongside the Diane Cilento Studio in South Brisbane.

Celeste opens in select Australian cinemas from April 25.