Closed for Winter (2009)

Director:

James Bogle

Writer:

James Bogle (adaptation)

Release Date:

23 April 2009 (Australia)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Tells the story of a woman's journey to overcome the events of the past and to find a way to move on. It is a story of dark secrets and the power of and celebration of letting go. |

Plot Keywords:

Renewal | Adelaide South Australia | Sister Sister Relationship | Closed For Winter | Australia

Cast

Natalie Imbruglia	...	Elise Silverton
Daniel Frederiksen	...	Martin
Deborah Kennedy	...	Dorothy
Danielle Catanzariti	...	Frances
Tiahn Green	...	Young Elise
Tony Martin	...	John Mills
Sophie Ross	...	Jocelyn
Adam Morgan	...	The Foreman
Kaliopi Eleni	...	Mariel

Also Known As:

Elise (Australia) (working title)

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (Dolby 5.1)

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Company:

Goalpost Pictures

Trivia:

The deli from which Frances purchases cigarettes is located at 41 First Avenue, Semaphore Park, Adelaide, Australia. Specifically, it is located on the northern corner of First Avenue and Sansom Road.

** Closed for Winter - The Definitive Review. **

Closed for Winter - or Elise as it was formerly known - is a 2009 Adelaide (filmed and produced) film adapted by the Georgia Bland novel of the same name. It was directed by James Bogle ('Lockie Leonard') and stars Natalie Imbruglia in the lead role.

I had a small role in this movie, as an extra on Semaphore Beach, a well-known beach here in Adelaide. I spent quite a bit of time with the production crew and had casual conversations with Deborah Kennedy, director James Bogle. I met pretty much all the crew members, was just metres from 'Nat' (as we had come to call her, and she didn't seem to mind) during filming. I met her in person, too. I never had a conversation with Daniel Frederiksen nor did I shake his hand, but he was a decent person, I reckon.

Anyway, as a result of my involvement with the film and the crew and cast, I was automatically invited to the international premiere, at a cinema in Adelaide, Friday, 27 February. Everyone was there, so we had a good turnout.

The plot summary in a nutshell is not so much as 'obvious' as a Hollywood action flick, for instance. This should be praised, though, for this makes a harder-hitting story packed to the brim with so much more raw emotion than almost any movie I've seen in years. Anyway, the story. It revolves around Elise Silverton (Imbruglia, in top form - her best performance ever) who must come to terms with the loss of her sister, Frances, who disappeared from Semaphore Beach 20 years prior to the events of the film (1987, as the film is set in 2007).

The narrative deals with important themes and really makes the viewer question themselves, their values and reflects on what some people believe in most. Charged with high emotion, drama, a dash of romance and even a tad of minor comedy, the storyline is realistic because it not only captures what it's supposed to, but keeps the characters flowing and very much alive. There aren't too many songs in the film, however, this is given to reflect the 'air of silence' between Elise and her mother, Dorothy. There is a great track, called 'Warm in the Sun', by a band named Malone. This song plays in the trailer, also.

It's hard to pick out a stand-out performance, especially because all the cast members put on really great performances. I've already mentioned Natalie. Young Tiahn Mabarrack (who plays the 'Young Elise'), is spot on with her eyes. Newcomer Danielle Catanzariti (also in Hey, Hey It's Esther Blueburger) is great as Frances. She had to practice smoking with herbal cigarettes - as Travis Kalendra, a crew member, put it, to 'look natural'.

The filming locations were great. Of course, changes were made to the houses and such used in the film, but others were hardly changed at all. One location, for instance, had its wall covered with wallpaper and desired furniture inserted, including a non-working stove and fake telephone etc. The actual address of one of the locations - a deli (or delicatessen, if you want to be fancy) can be found in the Trivia section.

I am running out of room, so to finish up I will say this: if you like Natalie Imbruglia, or films with soul, emotion and drama, or just a good quality Australian story, then mark down Closed for Winter in your diary - cinema-released April 23.