FSM Puts Its Money Where its Mouth Is

The latest feature film from FSM, Goddess, has punched well above its weight in its opening week at the box office – taking over $500,000 and ranking 4th in the Top 20 grossing films last week - even eclipsing Oscar favourite Silver Linings Playbook.

 

The team at FSM recently hosted an exclusive preview screening of the film for the industry.  Goddess represents not only a return to the great tradition of original musicals but to the ongoing solid commitment to Australian filmmakers by FSM.

 

Goddess stars Ronan Keating, Laura Michelle Kelly and Magda Szubanski amidst a stellar cast. It features 15 original songs under the musical directorship of Judy Morris and was based on the stage play Sink Songs by Joanna Weinberg.

 

On the ABC’s At The Movies, Margaret Pomeranz said the production was ambitious and its values ‘heroic’, especially ‘considering (the limitations of) Australian film budgets’. Both Margaret and David effused the film’s quality, suspension of disbelief entertainment and leading lady – West End star Kelly’s performance as ‘beguiling’ and ‘winsome’.

 

”FSM has a long history with feature films, with our investment in Goddess the biggest so far,” said FSM co-owner Steve Dunn. “It was a fantastic opportunity to work on a unique and original script with international and local talent.”

 

Shot at some of Sydney and Tasmania’s most beautiful locations, the film was directed by Mark Lamprell and produced by Richard Keddie.

 

With its array of sparking visual effects, all post-production, VFX, titles and digital intermediate were managed by FSM, with Steve Dunn acting as one of the executive producers.

”It’s no longer unusual to be an investor, creative contributor and facilities provider,” Dunn said. “On many levels it gives us a greater ownership and passion for the projects we’re invited to be part of. It becomes a trust thing and we’re getting pretty good at it.”

 

Aside from its vibrant original score and VFX imaginations, the film is also an ironic, and classically comedic Australian, take on the nature of ad land, the politics of personality and the ethics of branding, shining a light on the industry itself.

Goddess is in national release.

 

Goddess CREDITS:

Directed - Mark Lamprell

Written by Mark Lamprell and Joanna Weinberg 

Producer - Richard Keddie

Cinematography - Damian Wyvill

Production Design - Annie Beauchamp

Original Music - Bryony Marks and Joanna Weinberg

 

CAST

Laura Michelle Kelly

Ronan Keating

Magda Szubanski

Pia Miranda

 

FSM

Executive Producer – Steve Dunn

VFX Supervisors – Andreas Wanda, Phil Stuart Jones

Grading – Billy Wychgel

Titles – Darrin Hanle