Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Melbourne Cup Movie Premiere In Melbourne - 9th October 2011

The film is based on jockey Damien Oliver winning the Melbourne Cup in 2002 on Media Puzzle, one week after the death of his brother Jason.

Curry jumps into Oliver's saddle for the most emotional period in the champion jockey's life in The Cup.

The Cup follows Oliver's decision to ride (and win), the 2002 Melbourne Cup just days after his brother Jason died in a track fall.

Speaking at the film's world premiere in Melbourne, Australia, Curry said he was a bundle of nerves sitting next to the racing legend during the first private screening.

"I was watching half me and half him, and for an actor for the first time you watch your film, it's very rare that you're not watching yourself the whole time," he said.

"We all shed a tear, it is a pretty emotional story. His feedback, his review is the only one that matters and it was really positive.

"It's about respecting the memory of Jason Oliver ... (Oliver) loved it and said Jason would've loved it."
Camberwell's Rivoli Cinema saw over 1000 people attend.

Oliver said it was a bizarre experience to watch a traumatic piece of his life unfold in film.

"It's kind of weird ... it couldn't be any more emotional than actually living through it, but every time I do see vision of it, it really brings it back home to me," he said.

The two-time Melbourne Cup champ said he and Curry developed a friendship as the result of the movie.

"He came around to our home to visit us, he came to the races with us, we took him to the barrier trials and we became good friends," Oliver said.

"He does a great job."

Oliver is not a big fan of his horse riding however.

"As a a jockey he makes a good actor," Oliver joked.

Curry concedes the horse riding had been a major challenge.

"Whenever I had to go on the set and ride a horse, it was a horrible day," he said.

In any event, if you like horse racing or even have a spot for quality Australian films, The Cup is for you.

Director: Simon Wincer

Writers: Simon Wincer (screenplay), Eric O'Keefe (screenplay)

Stars: Brendan Gleeson, Alice Parkinson and Daniel MacPherson

Websites

The Cup official website

Roadshow Films

Villiage Roadshow

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

Eva Rinaldi Photography