Editor

• View
• Edit

Cottesloe Films, in partnership with Impian Films, just announced that its upcoming short film Tango Underpants has raised an impressive $25,000 in 24 hours through its Pozible crowd funding campaign.

As a result, the film also qualified to have its funding quadrupled under ScreenWest’s 3-to-1 Crowdfunding Initiative, bringing the total to more than $100,000.

Tango Underpants is a playful and engrossing film, written by renowned screenwriter John Collee (HAPPY FEET, MASTER AND COMMANDER) and inspired by a short story written by Carolyn Swindell. 

It will be co-directed by Miranda Edmonds and Khrob Edmonds, who have Emma Booth (SWERVE, CLUBLAND) attached to play the lead.

It tells the story of Carolyn - a young Australian backpacker who, after a bad breakup and too long on the road, has completely lost her mojo.  However, all of that changes when she reaches South America. Here she discovers not only the wonders of the Tango dance and the people, but also the vital importance of the right underwear.

According to Executive Producer Tania Chambers, short films like Tango Underpants are great passport projects for talented directors such as the Edmonds siblings.

"It is an extraordinary experience that over 200 people have joined together with our creative team to get our directors' vision to the screen.”

“The fact that ScreenWest's funding leverages this financial support from these individuals is a strategic and wonderful outcome," said Chambers.

The team’s other Executive Producer, Impian Film’s CEO Stephen Van Mil, said he has been blown away by the overwhelming support for Tango Underpants.

"I have experienced a huge amount of enjoyment and satisfaction watching John Collee's passionate idea turn into reality within a few months,” said Van Mil.

“A huge thank you to all the incredibly talented people involved. There is no doubt that this will be a cracker of a film!"

Commenting on the news, co-director Miranda Edmonds said:

"We are just thrilled with the response to the film; the story has really sparked people’s interest and the generous support has been overwhelming. We have had support from around the globe including Australia, Singapore, the UK, USA and Uruguay - it is amazing. We can't wait to bring this film to the audience,” said Edmonds.

Tango Underpants will to be shot in Western Australia and South America in 2013 by award-winning cinematographer Denson Baker ACS (ORANGES AND SUNSHINE, THE BLACK BALLOON)

ABOUT THE STORY

Carolyn, 27, is the hero of Tango Underpants.  A reserved, capable and reliable person, she has always had that niggling feeling there is more to life than she is experiencing.  Finally, she gathers up the courage to quit her job and go travelling to see the world. We meet her nearing the end of her travels as she arrives in Buenos Aires. She has split with her boyfriend, is sick of living out of a backpack and feels like a constant outsider.  What had once been an adventure is now an endless stream of dodgy backpackers and too many churches – Carolyn has completely lost her mojo. It is only when she has a chance encounter with the dance of the Tango and the wonderful Lina that her eyes are opened to the possibilities around her. Will Carolyn learn to embrace life or will she remain an eternal spectator?

ABOUT THE CAST

Emma Booth - Emma will soon appear in Taylor Hackford’s feature Parker, with Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez. Emma’s other feature credits include Joel Schumacher’s Blood Creek, Karl Golden’s Pelican Blood, Scott Hicks’ The Boys Are Back opposite Clive Owen, and as ‘Germaine Greer’ in the Working Title feature, Hippie Hippie Shake opposite Cillian Murphy and Sienna Miller.  Most recently, she was seen alongside Jason Clarke and David Lyons in Craig Lahiff’s Swerve. Emma made her feature film debut in Cherie Nowlan’s Clubland, which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Her performance in the film earned her the Best Supporting Actress Award at the 2007 Australian Film Institute Awards and the Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards, and the Best Australian Newcomer at the 2008 Movie Extra Filmink Awards. Emma’s television credits include Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet, Underbelly: The Golden Mile, Rowan Woods’ ABC miniseries Three Acts Of Murder, The Shark Net, Small Claims, The Circuit, All Saints and the ABC telemovie Jack Irish: Bad Debts with Guy Pearce.

ABOUT THE CREW

Miranda Edmonds and Khrob Edmonds – Directors – Brother and sister team, Khrob and Miranda have worked together on a number of productions.  Most recently they directed the award-winning short animation Chat Noir (funded by Screen Australia) and the festival success The Water Was Dark And It Went Forever Down (funded by ScreenWest).  Khrob has also recently completed a post graduate diploma in directing at the Victorian College of the Arts and Miranda works at Impian Films as Head of Development.

John Collee – Writer - We can think of no-one better to transform this story to a script than John.  He has brought a magical touch to the story and his work ensures the script is strong and engaging to a wide audience. This is a wonderful opportunity for the directors to work with a world-class writer. Credits: Happy Feet, Master and Commander: Far Side of the World.

Stephen Van Mil – Executive Producer - Stephen Van Mil founded the independent Australian film production company Impian Films. Impian’s first feature film is based on the book The Drowner by Robert Drewe. Development began in 2008 with production expected to begin in 2013. The West Australian filmmaker is producing the movie project along with Mel Gibson’s Icon Productions and UK Producer Robert Jones (The Usual Suspects). Impian Films has contracted renowned Australian-based screenwriter John Collee for the screenplay adaptation. Also in association with Icon Productions, Impian Films is producing the feature film adaptation of Tim Winton’s classic novel Shallows.

Tania Chambers – Executive Producer - Tania Chambers is a Producer, Executive Producer and Creative Industries Consultant. She is producing the feature film Kill Me Three Times, which will be directed by Kriv Stenders (Red Dog) and shot in Western Australia, slated for release in 2014. Formerly Chief Executive of two of Australia’s regional funding agencies: Screen NSW and ScreenWest, she has 25 years experience within the Australian film and television industry and in leadership roles at both organisational and Board level. The Founding Director of Feisty Dame Productions, Tania Chambers is a Board Member of the Arts Law Centre and of Geographe French Australian Festivals Inc. (CinefestOZ), and is an Ambassador for Australia’s Special Broadcasting Service.  Tania Chambers has been a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors since 2006 and is a member of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts and the International Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Denson Baker ACS – Director of Photography - Denson is an award winning cinematographer of international feature films, music videos, documentaries & commercials. Denson is an amazing talent and we are very lucky to have him currently based in Western Australia.  Denson will bring a stunning aesthetic to the story and his knowledge of working in foreign locations will be of great value to the project. Credits: The Black Balloon, Oranges and Sunshine. 

Ian and Erick Reynard – Tungsten Photographers 

Tungsten are renowned around the world for their amazing surfing action photography being regular contributors to magazines like Tracks and Surfing Life.  Their talents however extend into the world of art and beauty including winning first place in the 2010 INTERNATIONAL PHOTO AWARDS – Special Category.  We are delighted to have their vision, expertise and Mauritian rum on this project. Find out more about Tungsten at www.tungsten.net.au.