Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with a call to arms for my friends downunder. There's a filmmaker named Brad McGann who made a film that hasn't really hit US shores yet called IN MY FATHER'S DEN. I saw the movie at the American Film Market last year and it is a great flick. McGann's film won tons of awards and much critical acclaim, all of which it deserved.
McGann has been diagnosed with secondary cancer (when cancer has spread from its original site to another part of the body). He and his family are shouldering the brunt of the cost of the treatment however they could use your help. There is a fundraiser screening of McGann's short work as well as one of his favorite movies, Terrence Malick's BADLANDS in Auckland on December 5th. Along with the screenings there'll be an auction with stuff donated from all over New Zealand, including a Peter Jackson signed KING KONG poster, 2 tickets to the Wellington KONG premiere, props from Vincent Ward's THE RIVER QUEEN, a case of wine from Sam Neill's vineyard, props from ONCE WERE WARRIORS and more, all going to help McGann through his cancer treatment.
I've never met the man and outside of the one time I saw IN MY FATHER'S DEN, I haven't really been exposed to his work, but he's a little guy in a big fight. The work of his that I have seen is really fantastic. He could go on to make some incredible films if he can kick Cancer's ass, but he'll need help to do that.
Tickets to the fundraiser/auction can be purchased here and all other info is below. Let's help this guy out.
A FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR FILM DIRECTOR BRAD MCGANN
You are invited to attend a very special event to be held at Sky City Theatre Auckland, on Monday 5th Dec, to help raise medical funds for Brad McGann – the award-winning director of In My Father’s Den.
As some of you may already know, Brad was diagnosed recently with secondary cancer. His doctors have recommended that he take a drug available only through the private sector. Although Brad and his family will contribute the majority of funds, the treatment is expensive and he will need help, not only to afford the medicine but for living expenses while recovering.
Choosing to be a filmmaker requires a unique commitment to an art form that rarely offers financial security. This is a call from his friends to all who work in the film and television industries and anyone who has enjoyed Brad’s films to come together and show support for one of New Zealand’s most innovative and talented young filmmakers.
The evening will start with his award-winning short, Possum. The main event is a rare chance to see one of Brad’s favourite films on the big screen: Terrence Malick’s mesmerising Badlands (1973, with Martin Sheen and Sissey Spacek). This is a newly struck 35mm print in glorious condition.
Following the films, a special auction will be held featuring rare collectables, movie memorabilia and unique opportunities donated by some of the leaders in NZ cinema. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity offers you the chance to bid on something unique for that special movie buff in your life, as well as donating to an incredibly important cause.
Please come along and show your support.
Ticket price: $45 (includes free 42BELOW cocktail and snacks)
Venue: SKY CITY THEATRE
Date: Monday 5th December
Time: 6.30 pm drinks
Screening: Begins 7 pm sharp
Tickets can be purchased through TICKETEK CENTRES
Or buy clicking on the following link
NB: If you are unable to attend the event but would like to make a donation, you may transfer funds directly into the following account:
Brad McGann Trust
Dominion Law Trust Account, National Bank, Newmarket Branch
Account No. 060193 0228385 02
Or send a cheque to:
Brad McGann Trust
PO Box 7015, Wellesley Street
Level 4, 35 High Street
Auckland
AUCTION ITEMS
• This is the big one folks! The Auckland Film Festival is offering an exclusive festival pass valid for twenty years (that’s not a typo – that’s 20 yrs!) of free film-going
• Two tickets to the scorching hot premiere of King Kong in Wellywood
• Have the spooky Hollywood Cinema all to yourself and watch a sneak preview of the terrifying new film The Descent – either alone (if you dare) or with your friends and loved ones (includes popcorn and possibly ghosts)
• Get your 15 minutes of fame: a walk-on part as an extra on NZ’s most popular soap, Shortland St
• Enjoy a delicious three-course dinner or lunch for four prepared in your home by top chef Michael Meredith< (The Grove restaurant), and accompanied by wines especially selected by The Grove’s owner Michael Dearth
• A colour pencil drawing by esteemed NZ artist Dame Louise Henderson
• A stunning feather cloak from River Queen, donated by director Vincent Ward
• The whiskey flask used by Kiefer Sutherlandin his character of Private Doyle in River Queen. An antique English glass flask, part covered in pewter and leather.
• A case of wine from actor Sam Neill’s vineyard
• A case of ‘Sleeping Dogs’ wine courtesy of The World’s Fastest Indian director Roger Donaldson
• A leather coat with gang insignia from the box-office smash Once Were Warriors
• A leather gang jacket from Once Were Warriors and Brokenhearted, donated by actor/writer/director Ian Mune
• Hollywood comes to Auckland. Two tickets to the NZ premiere of North Country, with Charlize Theron in attendance. Plus a poster from the film, signed by Niki Caro, Charlize Theron , Woody Harrelson and Sean Bean
• Two double tickets to the premiere of Sione’s Wedding in March – the new film from the Naked Samoan/bro Town boys
• Sixteen cocktails at the Muscat Room, Auckland’s coolest hang out.
• Hoyts Gold Pass – free pass to see unlimited movies at any Hoyts cinema (excluding Queen St), valid for a year - and unlimited means unlimited.
• Rialto VIP Card: free pass for two to see unlimited films at any Rialto Cinema, valid for a year - and unlimited means unlimited.
• A signed King Kong poster by Peter Jackson
• A special gift-box containing six premium bottles of Goldwater Estate wine plus two tickets to the Goldwater Long Lunch, held at their vineyard on Waiheke Island
• 42 Below special gift-box containing a selection of 6 bottles of: SOUTH, 42 Below and 42 Below flavours, and a cocktail book
+ more items will be available on the night.
