Slant (film)

Australian feature film from 2022

Slant

Slant Theatrical Poster

Directed by| James Vinson
Written by| Michael Nikou
Produced by|

* Monique Fisher
* Michael Nikou
* James Vinson
* Alexandros Ouzas
* Tessa Mansfield-Hung

Starring|

* Elle Mandalis
* Kate Lister
* Michael Nikou
* Ra Chapman
* Ryan A. Murphy
* Shannon Berry
* Neil Pigot
* Petra Yared
* Alexis Porter
* Pia Miranda
* Sigrid Thornton

Cinematography| Amy Dellar
Music by|

* Nicholas Buc
* Albert Salt

Production
companies

* Bim Bim Films
* Exile Entertainment

Distributed by| Bim Bim Films

Release dates

* 4 December 2022 (2022-12-04) (Monster Fest)
* 12 October 2023 (2023-10-12) (Australia)

Running time

| 112 minutes
Country| Australia
Language| English
Budget| $1m AUD
Box office| $63,159 AUD

Slant is a 2022 independent Australian dark comedy thriller film written by Michael Nikou and directed by James Vinson. The film stars Australian screen veterans Sigrid Thornton and Pia Miranda as part of an ensemble cast.

## Plot

[edit]

In Melbourne circa 1999, a career crazed journalist (Derek Verity) is tasked with writing his first exposé on an infamous missing socialite. When a dark family secret of his own threatens to destabilise his career and a workplace rival vies to steal the golden ticket story out from under him, Derek goes rogue in an attempt to get the scoop at all costs.

## Cast

[edit]

* Michael Nikou as Derek Verity
* Sigrid Thornton as Vivianne Verity
* Elena Mandalis (Elle) as Kaye Kopoulos
* Ryan A. Murphy as Billy Verity
* Ra Chapman as Olyvia
* Kate Lister as Una Power
* Shannon Berry as Samantha McGowan
* Pia Miranda as Maggie Kopoulos
* Petra Yared as Elizabeth McGowan
* Neil Pigot as Martin McGowan
* Alexis Porter as Coco

## Release

[edit]

Slant premiered on December 4, 2022 at Monster Fest where it went on to win the award for Best Australian Feature.[1] The cast and key creatives behind Slant went on a national press tour which included visiting every Australian capital city for special Q&A screenings.[2] The press tour started in Sydney with the unveiling of Sigrid Thornton's plaque on the Australian Film Walk of Fame[3] outside the Ritz Cinema, Randwick on July 26 and concluded in Darwin on August 5 at the Deckchair Cinema.[4] Due to the success of the press tour Slant was then released in cinemas across every Australian state capital and some regional areas for a full theatrical season on October 12, 2023.[5]

It received its UK premiere on 22 September 2023 at the Garden Cinema in London, as part of the London Australian Film Festival.[6]

The Australian public broadcaster, SBS has since made the film available for all Australian households on its On Demand service.[7]

## Reception

[edit]

Slant received positive reviews from audiences and critics. Stephen Romei of The Australian stating in his review: "Slant is original, funny, pulpy and a little loopy."[8] FilmFreeway described it as “a larger-than-life black comedy thriller with a sizzling build to a wild finale; full of 90s nostalgia, irreverent humour, relatable family drama, and shocking twists you won’t see coming”[9]

The film also won Best Australian Feature at Monster Fest, an annual film festival held in Melbourne that is dedicated to cult and horror cinema. It is supported by the federal screen agency, Screen Australia.[6]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Slant wins Best Australian Feature Monster Fest Neos Kosmos Article". neoskosmos.com. 8 December 2022. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
2. ^ Miller, Cassandra (6 July 2023). "Thornton puts her own slant on unorthodox camp thriller". Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
3. ^ "Sigrid Thornton welcomed by Randwick City to the Film Walk of Fame | ScreenHub Australia - Film & Television Jobs, News, Reviews & Screen Industry Data".
4. ^ Steer, Adam (3 August 2023). "Darwin is rolling out the red carpet for 'SeaChange' star Sigrid Thornton". ABC.
5. ^ "Media release: Slant producers announce national theatrical run for darkly comic Aussie thriller". influencing. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
6. ^ a b Slant London Australian Film Society. Retrieved on 16 July 2024
7. ^ Slant SBS. Retrieved on 16 July 2024
8. ^ Romei, Stephen. "Futuristic thriller a bit of Star Wars, Blade Runner and Avatar".
9. ^ Slant Archived 2024-07-16 at the Wayback Machine FilmFreeway. Retrieved on 16 July 2024

## External links

[edit]

* Slant at IMDb