Myles Pollard and Xavier Samuel both made the WA premiere of their new film but co-star Sam Worthington was missing. Source: Supplied
FIFTY metres of red carpet, a scarlet helicopter and 1300 guests, but no sign of Rockingham local turned Hollywood star Sam Worthington.
The Australian premiere of his surfing movie, Drift, was shot in Margaret River and was screened under the stars in Yallingup last night.
The movie’s major celebrity may have been missing in action, but other big names including Xavier Samuel, fresh from his turn in the Twilight saga, and Myles Pollard, who once charmed in McLeod’s Daughters, were happy to pose for the cameras.
Samuel’s new girlfriend, actress Emily Browning, was also spotted on the red carpet, which was rolled out alongside vintage surfboards and cars used in the film.
Pollard, standing with his former model and TV presenter wife, Brigitta, admitted to a few nerves before his labour of love was screened. “I’m nervous, I’m excited,” said the actor and producer. “It’s bizarre. It’s been a seven year project, I’ve been through the production, the delivery and now I’m standing on the red carpet.”
Drift is set in the 1970s and tells the story of two brothers – played by Pollard and Daniel – as they grow up in the surf region, building a surfboard business while battling bikies, police, an uncharitable bank manager and drug problems.
Brigitta Pollard said her husband did all of his own surfing scenes, and that big wave conditions couldn’t have been better for the winter filming. “On the first day shooting at Cow Bombie the waves were 20 foot,” she said.
Ms Pollard said the cast was disappointed Worthington, who plays a hippie surf photographer, couldn’t make the event. “He’s tied up in the States filming,” she said. “That’s what happens when you’re a big Hollywood star.”
Surprisingly, Worthington is not the lead role. His shaggy haired, bearded character, who lives in a psychedelic rainbow coloured bus, floats in and out of the film while Samuel's cheeky smile and Pollard’s buff bod get more attention.
CROWD PLEASER
Drift begins, unexpectedly, in black and white, but when the first big set of waves is tackled by Samuel's fearless character, the screen merges into colour.
From there it’s a captivating ride through the brothers’ lives, knitted together with a strong dose of drama, adrenaline-fueled action and laconic Aussie humour.
The big surf scenes are intense, with artful cinematography reaching inside rolling barrels, pushing through white water and showing the surge of air as a big wave crashes, all while surfers ride up and down huge green walls. It’s so real you can almost feel the spray, and mouths gape as the swell builds.
Drift dutifully plays its role in showcasing the beauty of the region, with aerial shots zooming over clusters of seals, pods of dolphins and the South West’s iconic tall trees.
It gives a nod to West Australian pursuits too, from the days of the timber mills to the much-loved pastimes of diving for crayfish and hanging around at beachside bonfires.
There’s no doubt the film was lovingly received by the sizeable audience, with many cheering and whistling each time a recognisable location loomed large.
And with barely a murmur about Worthington’s absence - but plenty of banter about the likely international success of this fantastic, locally produced film - we expect you’ll be hearing plenty more about Drift.
DRIFT will open in cinemas nationally on May 2 and is set for US release soon after.
