Red Hill, QLD Premiere

Director - Patrick Hughes

When first time director, Patrick Hughes, announced his debut feature alongside Ryan Kwanten, though ashamed, I can admit I didn't recognise the infamous Jason Stackhouse until the first 60seconds of watching him on-screen...Alas, then word vomit escaped my mouth - "Fuck me, that's the guy from True Blood!". 
Shorter, and far skinnier, than I would have imagined, Hughes towered over the young Australian actor, as he announced the long awaited Australian Western, Red Hill! 

Starring: Ryan Kwanten, Steve Bisley, and Tommy Lewis, the film was shot in a very tidy 24days, with a disclosed budget. All that's known is Hughes put a mortgage down on his house for the film, and it's paid off with Sony picking up the film for international distribution. And upon this being said - Hughes automatically notes - "and it's already been paid off", well done Patrick. One must always respect a good gamble! 

Steve Bisley was as always, incredible. The second of two films i've seen him in this week (his hard-edge Australian drawl was also used in Monday nights 'The Wedding Party'). 

All in all, a very entertaining film. That I would highly recommend a viewing off. 

*To visit the official website - RED HILL MOVIE

*To watch the trailer - RED HILL TRAILER

My review for Scene Magazine, QLD, is published below. Enjoy.  

Red Hill

Starring: Ryan Kwanten, Steve Bisley, Tommy Lewis

Directed/Written by: Patrick Hughes

Ryan Kwanten

Saddle up and mount a new genre, the modern Australian Western!

A thrilling ride from start to finish, ‘The Man from Snowy River’ meets ‘The Proposition’ in first time feature director, Patrick Hughes’, ‘Red Hill’. Fresh in town, and first day on the job, copper, Shane Cooper (Ryan Kwanten, aka Jason Stackhouse, ‘True Blood’) rides into hell on horseback as escaped convicted murderer, Jimmy Conway, unleashes bloodthirsty terror upon the country town of Red Hill. A clever combo of the western genre and present day, Hughes combines genre elements with modern day effortlessly, not once seeming kitsch or cliché. This is unquestionably a cherished new take on Australia cinema, yeeharr!

Review by Benjamin 

‘Red Hill’ is being screened nationally from December 2^nd

*Written for Scene Magazine, Brisbane, QLD 2010