A Savage Christmas

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A Savage Christmas
Directed byMadeleine Dyer
Screenplay byDaniel Mulvihill
Madeleine Dyer
Max Jahufer
Produced by Ben McNeill
Daniel Mulvihill
Starring Darren Gilshenan
Helen Thomson
Ryan Morgan
David Roberts
Thea Raveneau
Max Jahufer
Rekha Ryan
Gary Sweet
Rachel Griffiths
CinematographyShing Fung Cheung
Edited byPip Hart
Music byJason Fernandez
Production
companies
Roaring Entertainment, Mad Dan Productions, Intrinsic Story
Distributed byBonsai Films, Odin's Eye Entertainment
Release date
Running time
93 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

A Savage Christmas is a 2023 Australian comedy drama film directed by Madeleine Dyer, and starring Darren Gilshenan and Helen Thomson.

Contents

Plot

After years of estrangement, transgender woman Davina Savage returns home for Christmas with her new boyfriend. Expecting her transition to be the focus, it's instead overshadowed by family secrets and lies which threaten not only their lives, but another Christmas lunch.

Cast

Production

A Savage Christmas is the feature directorial debut of Australian director Madeleine Dyer. [1] [2]

The film was produced by Ben McNeill and Daniel Mulvihill of Roaring Entertainment, [3] [4] which commenced production on A Savage Christmas in late 2022. [5]

The film was shot in Brisbane, Queensland. According to the producers, "This story was (sic) developed over several years by a team of Queensland locals and represents many of the personal stories and experiences of the film’s key creatives". [5]

Release

A Savage Christmas premiered at CinefestOZ in August 2023, [6] with a Queensland premiere at the 2023 Brisbane International Film Festival in November 2023. [7]

The film was released to cinemas Australia-wide on 15 November 2023, [8] and premieres on Australian streaming platform Binge on 15 December 2023. [9]

Response

Critical reception

Peter Walkden of Walkden Entertainment praised the film and awarded it seven stars, noting that "Right from the start, I found myself grinning like a young child and enjoying the numerous awkward moments shared among the multiple characters", adding that the film "carries entertaining moments of conflict and drama while being playful and slightly wacky, even more so whenever actors Darren Gilshenan and Gary Sweet appear on-screen." [10] Andrew Peirce of The Curb wrote, "A Savage Christmas is a ridiculously funny and brilliantly scripted comedy that feels like a breath of fresh air", highlighting that "screen legends David Roberts, Helen Thomson, and Darren Gilshenan balance the bonkers with the grounded." [11]

Writing for City Hub Sydney, Mark Morellini awarded the film three stars, noting "This is not a high budget movie, but surprisingly boasts high production standards. The explosion of emotions in the final scenes are hilarious and the poignant themes, which include the importance of forgiveness and family, are relatable and should resonate with audiences." [12] Carla Huyssen of Theatre Haus summarised the film as "A little slow at times and relying on its’ more accomplished cast members, ‘A Savage Christmas’ packs a punch about equality and gender diversity, and leaves audiences with the notion that in the end, we’re all a little bit broken." [13]

Despite praising the film for having its heart in the right place, and noting that the film tackles multiple relevant and interesting social issues, FilmInk's Robert D’Ottavi criticised the film, writing "It’s the stuff that you have seen a million times before, except this time, it’s sunny, bogan Queensland."

Accolades

A Savage Christmas received a nomination for the 2023 AACTA Award for Best Indie Film at the 13th annual AACTA Awards. [14]

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References

  1. ↑ "Trailer: A Savage Christmas". www.filmink.com.au. 3 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  2. ↑ "A Savage Christmas (2023) – the Screen Guide". Screen Australia. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  3. ↑ "Trans Drama Film 'A Savage Christmas' Under Way in Australia". www.variety.com. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  4. ↑ "Aussie Feature A Savage Christmas Filming Now in Queensland". www.screenqueensland.com.au. 22 January 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Aussie feature a Savage Christmas filming now in Queensland – Screen Australia". Screen Australia. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  6. ↑ "Bring Him to Me, A Savage Christmas, Jules headline CinefestOZ lineup". Inside Film. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  7. ↑ "BIFF's Full 2023 Lineup Is here with a Paul Mescal-Starrign Romance and Taika Waititi's New Movie". Concrete Playground. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  8. ↑ "A Savage Christmas (Trailer)". Inside Film. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  9. ↑ "Everything new streaming this December 2023 on Binge". TV Blackbox. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  10. ↑ "A SAVAGE CHRISTMAS (2023)". Walkden Entertainment. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  11. ↑ Peirce, Andrew (15 November 2023). "A Savage Christmas Director Madeleine Dyer Talks About Crafting a Comedic Aussie Christmas in This Interview". The Curb . Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  12. ↑ "A Savage Christmas – REVIEW". City Hub. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  13. ↑ "A Savage Christmas – Bonsai Films". TheatreHaus. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  14. ↑ "Winners & Nominees AACTA Awards". www.aacta.org. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
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