14/2/2013: HEALING – THERAPY IN RESPONSIBILITY

Healing, Craig Monahan’s new drama (shooting from Feb. 18), tackles a topical and relevant issue with a story about Viktor Khadem (Don Hany) who has spent 16 years in prison and has almost given up on life. For his final 18 months, he is sentenced to Won Wron, a low-security, pre-release prison farm, where Senior Officer Matt Perry (Hugo Weaving) has established a unique program to rehabilitate broken men by giving them the responsibility for the rehabilitation of injured raptors – beautiful, fearsome proud eagles, falcons and owls. Against all odds, Matt takes on Viktor as his number one test case, introducing him to Yasmine, a majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle.

Director/writer/producer Craig Monahan said : “ the script is inspired by true events and the powerful connection forged by humans with birds and animals. This project has attracted a remarkable cast and crew and we are privileged to be working with them and the dedicated staff at Healesville Sanctuary.”

Joining the cast is Xavier Samuel (Twilight: Eclipse, Bait, hot off the success of the Sundance Film Festival favourite Two Mothers and soon to be seen in Catherine Hardwicke’s Plush), star of stage and screen Jane Menelaus (Janus, The Dish), Anthony Hayes (Animal Kingdom, Devil’s Dust, The Slap), Mark Leonard Winter (Dangerous Remedy, Balibo), Robert Taylor (The Matrix), Justine Clarke (Look Both Ways, Tangle) and Laura Brent ( A Few Best Men, Chronicles of Narnia )

Healing will also reunite Craig Monahan’s lead cast from The Interview : Hugo Weaving and Tony Martin (Candy, False Witness).

Director of Photography is Academy Award® and BAFTA winning cinematographer Andrew Lesnie, whose credits include The Hobbit, Babe, The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, I Am Legend and Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, amongst many others.

Healing is being produced through Monahan’s PointBlank Pictures and will be distributed in Australia by Pinnacle Films.