THE RAGE IN PLACID LAKE (2003)

Written and Directed by: Tony McNamara (debut)

Stars: Ben Lee, Rose Byrne, Miranda Richardson, Garry McDonald, Nicholas Hammond

Release Date: 7 August 2003 (Australia)

Filming Locations: Sydney, NSW, Australia (including Wahroonga). Filmed from March to April 2002.

Film Festivals: Melbourne International Film Festival, August 2 & 9, 2003
Brisbane International Film Festival, August 5 2003
Edinburgh International Film Festival, August 15 2003

Distributors: Palace Films

Running Time: 89 mins

The Story:

Be normal, fit in. Even if it kills you! Placid Lake is a kid who follows his instincts; follows them so far they lead him to convalescing in a full body cast and pondering whether following your heart is good for your health.

His name is Lake. Placid Lake. Yeah, you guessed it, hippy parents. Children of the '60s.

Placid Lake's life has never been normal, from his early years when his mother sent him to school in a dress to challenge the other 5 year old children's 'preconceived notions of sexuality' he should have guessed that fitting in was not going to be easy.

Fortunately for Placid, Gemma, the crayon gobbling scientific genius in awe of no one but her father is also having a few 'blending in' issues. They develop a firm friendship through the years during which their own peculiar parents attempt to drag them up and hurl them into adulthood, and they both discover the binding passion between them is a desperate bid for the elusive ... 'Normal life', especially now that high school is over and the real world beckons.

A twisted teen comedy for big people.

Official Site:

www.rageinplacidlake.com

Reviews:

ScreenDaily - 25 July 2003

David Stratton - Variety, 18 May 2003

Articles:

Muso Pashes Byrne - Herald Sun, 9 July 2003

Still addicted to noise - The Age, 21 Mar 2003

Playwright takes stock - The Age, 9 July 2002

A big mouth and a weird attitude make Ben Lee Placid - Sydney Morning Herald, 16 March 2002