By Kath Gannaway
WARBURTON filmmaker Matthew Holmes has realised his dream with the release of the full-length feature film ‘The Legend of Ben Hall’.
The film put the Australian bushranger’s life on the big screen for the first time when it premiered in Forbes.
Holmes is bringing the film back to Warburton for a special screening by the Yarra Ranges Film Society on Friday, 9 December.
The screening which includes a live Q&A with Holmes, is recognition of the role the film society played in his journey so far.
Holmes founded Two Tone Pictures in 2005 and in 20xx won the Technical Excellence Award for ‘The Artifice’ as part of the Warburton Film Festival.
He pitched a new 30-minute film to the audience and launched a kickstarter campaign which raised almost twice as much as the $75,000 he was aiming for.
His company joined forces with several other film companies who came together to produce the epic life story of Hall who died at the hands of police in 1865.
Shot predominantly in the Macedon ranges, it is the previously untold story of the most prolific bushranger in Australian colonial history.
His tale of betrayal, revenge, romance and crime has fascinated generations and become part of Australian folklore.
Holmes said the story was a very human story.
“It’s an extremely emotional story, a very dramatic film and one that touches on themes that everybody would understand,” he said.
“It’s a fantastic ride with a lot of action, romance and betrayal … a big, old-fashioned epic film.”
The Warburton screening is a way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who backed the kickstarter, including the YRFS.
“Anyone who contributed money not only trusted me with their money and believed in my film and my skill,” he said.
“It’s great to be able to finish it. It took longer, but it grew much bigger.
“I’m very pleased with the finished film, it turned out to be an epic film, and we’re all very proud of the work we have done.
“It’s great to come back and show all those who had that faith in me and give everyone a great night at the movies.”
Tickets are available from Upper Yarra Art Centre, phone 1300 368 333 or online at boxoffice@yarraranges.vic.gov.au .
