MIFF LAUNCHES 2012 PROGRAM | 11/07/2012

MIFF LAUNCHES 2012 PROGRAM

P.J. HOGAN’S MENTAL ANNOUNCED AS CLOSING NIGHT FILM

The Melbourne International Film Festival has launched its 61^st program, announcing P.J. Hogan’s Mental will close the Festival on Saturday 18 August.

“How wonderful that we are able to book-end the 2012 MIFF with what will surely be two of the biggest Australian films of the year, in The Sapphires and Mental. Featuring an incredible ensemble cast, P.J. Hogan’s new film is as outrageously fun as it is smart and moving,” said Artistic Director Michelle Carey.

Mental reunites writer-director P.J. Hogan with his original leading lady Toni Collette for the first time since Muriel's Wedding. The film follows the story of the Moochmore family. Mother Shirley (Rebecca Gibney) – unable to cope with her five teenage daughters and unsupported by her philandering politician husband, Barry (Anthony LaPaglia) – suffers a nervous breakdown. After Barry commits his wife to a mental hospital he finds himself alone with the teenage girls he barely knows. Desperate, he impulsively picks up a hitchhiker named Shaz (Collette) and installs her in his home as nanny. With an incredible supporting cast including Liev Schreiber, Kerry Fox, Caroline Goodall and Sam Clark, Mental promises MIFF audiences an outrageously funny Closing Night event.

Purchase tickets to Closing Night.