Christina Ricci has signed on to star in a new Australian indie titled Around The Block, which is set to begin filming in Sydney this coming Monday. The film is written and directed by Sarah Spillane, who is also producing the film through her production company Kick Pictures alongside Brian Rosen and Su Armstrong’s Tree Films.
The synopsis for the film reads:
“Around The Block is about breaking family and cultural cycles for a hopeful future. A contemporary story of love, revenge, and triumph, a young Aboriginal boy becomes torn between his unexpected love of acting and the disintegration of his family. Meanwhile his high school drama teacher must practice what she teaches if she is to succeed in her personal and professional life.”
Ricci is set to play an American school teacher who attempts to help the lives of troubled Aboriginal school students. Her co-stars will include Hunter Page-Lochard, Jack Thompson, Damian Walshe-Howling, Matthew Nable and Snowtown star Daniel Henshall.
The film is Spillane’s second feature film, her first film The Life premiered in 2008 and starred Danny Glover.
Around The Block is another great boost to the Australian film industry, which is currently hitting a great stride at the moment with films like Animal Kingdom, Snowtown and Wish You Were Here all receiving great international exposure. Hopefully Around the Block will continue that trend.