Don McAlpine on set with Hugh Jackman during the making of Wolverine.
Award winning Australian documentary Show Me The Magic takes the viewer on an enthralling journey into the life and work of legendary Australian cinematographer Don McAlpine.
To celebrate the recent awards the film has picked up, Screenworks is bringing both the film and the filmmaker, Cathy Henkel, to the Regent Cinema at 4pm this coming Sunday 14 April for a one off screening and Q&A.
This exquisitely crafted film weaves together fascinating footage from Don’s personal archive, his filmography, and on set observation of his world class work. Don’s cinema career includes such iconic films as Breaker Morant, Don’s Party and My Brilliant Career. The film takes us on set with rare behind the scenes footage from X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and delves into his personal life and motivations, and how he came to be one of the leading cinematographers of his time.
Show Me the Magic is also an inspiring love story of two people who decide to make a life together in the surreal and stressful world of filmmaking. In the film we see examples of the struggles, joys and sacrifices Don and Jeanette make to stay together, enduring the pressures and demands of Hollywood.
Cathy Henkel is a filmmaker well known to the northern rivers. Now Brisbane based, Cathy lived and made films in the region for 14 years. Cathy will be the guest speaker at the Regent Cinema in Murwillumbah on Sunday where, following the screening, she will talk about the making of her film and working with Don. Cathy met Don McAlpine when working on another documentary and he showed her his behind the scenes footage from Romeo & Juliette.
‘There was something so unassuming – yet charming and intriguing – about Don and his wife Jeanette that I wanted to know more,’ explains Cathy. ‘Not only of his impressive and stellar career, but his personal story, from a small one horse town in outback NSW to the heights of Hollywood.’
Show Me The Magic includes interviews with luminary greats such as Baz Luhrmann, Bruce Beresford, Gavin Hood, PJ Hogan, Gillian Armstrong, Paul Mazursky and Hugh Jackman. Don’s long filmography also includes Patriot Games, Predator, Peter Pan, Moulin Rouge! and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Don McAlpine’s personal history in film is a history of the medium itself; he developed as an artist in parallel to the growth of the Australian film industry, winning the respect of his peers and great international acclaim. Show Me The Magic will engage and delight anyone who has ever been touched by the magic of movies.
Screenworks’ special screening of Show Me the Magic is 4pm Sunday April 14 at the Regent Cinema in Murwillumbah. Tickets $15 / $12 Screenworks members available from the Regent Cinema ph: 6672 8265 www.cinemaregent.com.
