MARGARET RIVER set the backdrop to Aussie surf flick Drift which will première in cinemas across the country on Thursday, May 2.
The film stars WA actor and Hollywood heartthrob Sam Worthington, Myles Pollard, Xavier Samuel and Aaron Glenane and was shot in the South West back in 2011.
Drift is set in 1972 and tells the story of the Kelly brothers as they start a new life in a remote Australian coastal town. They come up against suspicious locals, killer waves and ruthless bikers as they struggle to kick-start a new business based on surfing, their greatest passion.
Busselton teenager and Lockie Leonard actor Sean Keenan had a role in the filmand said he enjoyed working with directors Morgan O’Neill and Ben Nott.
"My other cast members were heaps of fun to be around. It all went by pretty quickly and I'm looking forward to seeing the final product," he said at the time of production.
Meanwhile then 17-year-old Yallingup surfer and under-18 state champion Mikaela Greene scored a role as a film stunt double.
Greene said she was over-east supporting sister Eliza in a surfing competition when she got the call from the Drift producers.
“I was really ecstatic when they asked me and it was too big an opportunity to pass up,” she said.
A special event was held in Yallingup last month where locals mingled with the stars of Drift before being treated to a preview screening. About 1300 people were in attendance including Pollard.
See who walked the red carpet here.
Margaret River Mail journalist Zannia Yakas was one of the lucky few to attend the screening and and gave her review of the film which can be found here.
The film was also given the nod by Augusta-Margaret River Shire chief executive officer Gary Evershed who saw the film while on holiday in Cannes.
“The surfing footage and local scenery are amazing but it quickly evolves into a serious drama featuring the two Kelly brothers played by Myles Pollard and Xavier Samuel, with Sam Worthington playing a roaming surfing nomad," Mr Evershed said.
