12/11/2009: THE CLINIC LAUNCHED IN LOS ANGELES

New Australian thriller, The Clinic is being offered to international buyers at the American Film Market in Los Angeles this week, represented by veteran sales agent, Robbie Little of The Little Film Company, ahead of its early 2010 Australian release.

The Clinic, the debut feature film from writer/director and producer team, James Rabbitts and Samuel Pinczewski, explores women’s primal instincts and how far they will go to protect life. Starring a young cast including Tabrett Bethell (soon to be seen in the US TV series, Legend of the Seeker) and Andy Whitfield (seen in Gabriel and starring in the upcoming US TV series, Spartacus), plus Freya Stafford (Gettin’ Square, White Collar Blue) and AFI Award nominated actress Sophie Lowe (Beautiful Kate). It was filmed entirely on location, primarily in the isolated regional town of Deniliquin, New South Wales.

Lead actress, Tabrett Bethell said of the film, “When I first read the script it grabbed me because I know what it’s like to love with your whole heart and fight for something. I love action and to get the opportunity to bring back a bit of girl power was quite cool”.

Since completing film school together, Rabbits and Pinczewsk founded Great Southern Land Entertainment, which has produced numerous commercials, short films and music video; they are currently prepping their next feature film The Aurora Stone to be shot in the first half of 2010.

Robbie Little said, “James and Sam are a very exciting new filmmaking team and we are thrilled to be working with them on this innovative and cutting edge film.”

Producer Pinczewski said, “We met Robbie at the Cannes Film Festival when our film was just about finished. Two weeks later he had the screener in LA. He was our first choice of sales agent because of his reputation in the international market place and his long association with Australian films. Within hours of seeing our film he wanted us to sign on. We were over the moon that our first feature was picked up straight away by someone of Robbie’s calibre and to be represented by him at the American Film Market, where all the key players of the international film industry converge.”

Australian industry veteran, Jonathan Shteinman who serves as Executive Producer on the film said, “I am really pleased with how the film turned out, and I note that it is the new Producer Offset funding mechanism that gave this new young team the opportunity to make this film and I think this is the way of the future.”

Richard Sheffield of Polyphony Entertainment, who has the rights for the film for Australia and is planning a release in the first half of 2010 said today, “James and Sam are a couple of very talented film-makers who have made a very different thriller. This first film will be the fore-runner to many more and I look forward to continuing our relationship beyond the release of The Clinic.”

Executive Producer Bob Marcs who raised finance for The Clinic said, “From the very beginning I have been one hundred percent behind this project and believed very strongly in the team we put together. The results have exceeded all expectations and we are now diligently working together on the next film for 2010.”