By Travis Johnson
Nicholas Verso’s coming-of-age psychological thriller, Boys in the Trees, will make its world debut at the Venice Film Festival next month. The film screens in competition in the Orizzonti section.
Starring Toby Wallace, Gulliver McGrath (Lincoln, Dark Shadows), Mitzi Ruhlman (The Code) and Justin Holborow, Boys in the Trees blends teen drama and horror in a way that blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality. As the official synopsis states:
It’s Halloween 1997 – the last night of high school for Corey, Jango and their skater gang, The Gromits. Childhood is over and adult life beckons. But for Corey, his past has some unfinished business. When he encounters Jonah, a former childhood friend but now victimised by Jango’s cruel streak, Corey takes pity on him and agrees to walk him home for old time’s sake.
What starts off as a normal walk through empty suburban streets descends into something darker and magical as they tell each other ghost stories, drawing upon their fears of the world around them. As they walk through their memories and ghosts of the past, Corey is surprised to discover how much he still has in common with his abandoned friend. But on the night of the grave’s delight, even the most buried truths will find a way of coming to life.
Director Verso’s short film The Last Time I Saw Richard picked up the 2014 AACTA for Best Short Film, so it’s going the be interesting to see what he can do with a bigger canvas. “It’s so exciting that this film which celebrates the nostalgia and fun of growing up in Australian suburbia in the 90’s is immediately finding an audience today on the other side of the world.” he said. “I’m thrilled to finally be able to share this film which means so much to me and the cast and crew that made it. Premiering in Venice surpasses our highest expectations for the film.”
Boys in the Trees will release in cinemas on October 20, 2016 through Mushroom Pictures.
