| The Loved Ones | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Sean Byrne |
| Produced by | Mark Lazarus Michael Boughen |
| Written by | Sean Byrne |
| Starring | Xavier Samuel Robin McLeavy John Brumpton |
| Music by | Ollie Olsen |
| Cinematography | Simon Chapman |
| Editing by | Andy Canny |
| Studio | Ambience Entertainment |
| Distributed by | Madman Entertainment |
| Release date(s) | 13 September 2009 (Toronto) 4 November 2010 (Australia) |
| Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $141,242 |
The Loved Ones is a 2009 Australian horror film written and directed by Sean Byrne and starring Xavier Samuel and Robin McLeavy.[1]
Contents |
After high schooler Brent Mitchell (Xavier Samuel) wraps his car around a tree, killing his father, he escapes into a grief-filled world of guilt. He is kept grounded by Holly, his girlfriend and date to the upcoming prom.
As graduation approaches, Lola Stone, the quietest girl in school, also asks Brent to the prom but is turned down. Hours before the dance and under the glittering light of a disco ball, Brent wakes up to a nighmarish sequence of events. Brent has become the prom king at a macabre sadistic dance where he is the entertainment.
The Loved Ones is the first feature film for short filmmaker Sean Byrne.[2] The Ambience Entertainment production was completely shot in Melbourne, Victoria.[3] The film stars Xavier Samuel, Jessica McNamee, Robin McLeavy and Richard Wilson.[4]
It was originally given an R18+ by the Australian Classification Board, but through an appeal by the Review Board, the rating was successfully overturned and given an MA15+ due to the comedy aspect of the film, mitigating the sadistic aspect and impact of the violence.
The original soundtrack was composed by Australian experimental musician Ollie Olsen. Other bands and musicians whose songs are featured in the film include Cosmic Psychos, Sophie Koh, Kasey Chambers, Parkway Drive, British India, Witch Hats, Little Red and Little River Band.[5]
The film screened at several festivals, including Toronto International Film Festival on 13 September 2009[6] and on 3 April 2010, as part of the Hong Kong International Film Festival.[7] In America, it was screened at the AFI Film Festival on 31 October 2009, Dallas International Film Festival 2010,[8] SXSW Film Festival 2010,[9] and the San Francisco International Film Festival on 2 May 2010. The first DVD copies was released in the United States in November 2009 over the American Film Market.[10]
The Loved Ones won the Toronto International Film Festival Midnight Madness Peoples Choice Award in 2009 and has a rating of 96% on the website Rotten Tomatoes[11]