LION has posted the 5th biggest opening weekend for an Australian film of all time and the biggest ever opening weekend for an independent Australian film. Which is HUGE!
This means LION is only behind The Great Gatsby, Australia, Happy Feet and Mad Max: Fury Road in the opening weekend record books. LION’S total box, including previews, now stands at $4,967,656.
The film tails the true story of five year old Saroo who gets lost on a train which takes him thousands of kilometres across India, away from home and family. Saroo must learn to survive alone in Kolkata, before ultimately being adopted by an Australian couple. Twenty five years later, armed with only a handful of memories, his unwavering determination, and a revolutionary technology known as Google Earth, he sets out to find his lost family and finally return to his first home.
Christine says, “after reading my nephew’s book, Long Way Home, several times, I often wondered how his story would unfold on the big screen. My first viewing was at the Sydney Premiere, sharing this moment with my family, Sue, John, Saroo and meeting the actors personally, Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel, David Wenham, made for an amazing and emotional viewing.”“This is an amazing movie, one like no other. Our very own Australian Director, Garth Davis, has captured every moment brilliantly, not to mention the cinematography. The movie touches all our lives in some way, and is made in such a manner that we are all affected by it.”
“My family have been on in incredible journey since Saroo found his family on 2012. Particularly Saroo, Sue, John and Mantosh’s whose lives will not be quite the same, but it has brought us closer together, as all you can do is love and support each other and feel proud. I am thrilled that Lion has been made so well and can help others to move forward and go for what they believe in.”
LION is also taking the world by storm. The film has also opened at number 1 at the NZ box office, number 4 at the UK box office and in the US has already taken $14.5m before going into wide release, with strong releases also posted in Canada, Italy and other major territories.
“It is exhilarating to see audiences both here and internationally engaging with this incredible true story. The fact that it is an Australian story and an Australian film makes it all the more satisfying. It is a privilege to be releasing this film on behalf of Saroo, his family and the filmmakers,” said Richard Payten and Andrew Mackie from Transmission Films.
LION was nominated for four Golden Globe awards, has received SAG, DGA, BAFTA and Critics Choice nominations and is the winner of more North American film festival awards than any other film this year. Oscar nominations will be announced Tuesday US time.
LION stars Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, Rooney Mara, David Wenham and the captivating Sunny Pawar as the young Saroo. Adapted from the incredible true story “A Long Way Home” by Saroo Brierley, LION is directed by Garth Davis (TOP OF THE LAKE) from a screenplay by Luke Davies (CANDY, LIFE). The film was produced by See-Saw Films in association with Aquarius Films and Sunstar Entertainment. Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Angie Fielder are producers with Andrew Fraser, Shahen Mekertichian and Daniel Levin executive producing.
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