Australian actor Ryan Corr will be in Byron Bay this week for a special advance screening of Holding The Man, a new film in which he has the starring role.
Corr has appeared in numerous films and TV programs including The Water Diviner, Wolf Creek 2, Love Child and Packed to the Rafters.
With him will be the producer of Holding The Man Kylie du Fresne, who also produced the hugely successful The Sapphires, and both will take part in a Q&A after the film.
The event, to be held at Palace Byron Bay Cinema on Sunday August 23 at 6 pm, is a fundraiser for ACON, NSW’s leading HIV prevention and support group.
The film is a wonderfully moving love story set in the early years of Australia’s HIV crisis, and is based on the memoir of Timothy Conigrave, who worked as a health promotion officer at ACON in the early 1990s developing HIV prevention campaigns.
The event is sponsored by an investor in the film, Byron Shire local Peter Waters of Byron Plantation and The Arthouse.
ACON Northern Rivers manager Marie Reilly says the event will be a special evening for the Northern Rivers LGBTI and HIV positive community.
‘Holding The Man is one of our community’s most cherished love stories, and it provides a compelling personal insight into the devastating impact of HIV and AIDS during the early years of the epidemic. It’s a beautifully sad, surprisingly funny and ultimately uplifting film with great performances and a terrific soundtrack,’ Marie said.
Conigrave’ s memoir was adapted for the stage by Tommy Murphy in 2006 and has become one of the most successful Australian stage productions in recent years, playing in most Australian capital cities and London’s West End.
Murphy also wrote the script for the film, which is directed by Neil Armfield. Starring with Ryan Corr are Craig Stott, Guy Pearce, Sarah Snook and Anthony LaPaglia.
Holding The Man had its world premiere at the recent Sydney Film Festival, where it received critical and popular acclaim.
Tickets for Sunday’s premiere are $25 or $15 concession, and include a pre-film drink . They can be purchased in advance through ACON: www.acon.org.au/HTMByron.
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