Film screens showing Patonga

A new Australian film, featuring Patonga, has begun screening at Avoca Beach Picture Theatre.

The View from Greenhaven, co-written and co-directed by brothers Simon and Kenn MacRae is about a father struggling to appreciate his life and loved ones.

Kenn MacRae said the film explored the idea of appreciating what one has and not always thinking life is "greener on the other side".

According to Mr MacRae, Patonga was "the perfect location" to film.

"Our locations director presented us with several Central Coast locations to film the main character's coastal home town scenes," Mr MacRae said.

"Patonga seemed like the perfect location and, when we visited there, it was like the town was created especially for the film.

"It was just how we had imagined the town to be when writing the script."

The film was shot in Patonga for one week in March last year and features the Patonga wharf, Patonga Beach Fish Cafe and Palm Beach Ferry Service.

The film was also shot in Mudgee and various locations in and around Sydney.

Mr MacRae said the cast and crew travelled by ferry from Palm Beach to Patonga throughout the one week of filming.

"The first day of filming saw Patonga receive record rainfall that month," Mr MacRae said.

"I hope Patonga remains the small, quiet coastal village it is because it truly is a beautiful place."

The film stars Chris Hayward, Wendy Hughes and Susan Prior.

The MacRae brothers won $1 million from Project Greenlight, an amateur filmmaking contest, to fund their first feature film The View from Greenhaven.

Screenings of The View from Greenhaven began on October 26 and will continue over the next few weeks.

For more information. phone Avoca Beach Picture Theatre on 4382 1677.

Clare Graham, 24 Oct 2008 Interviewee: Kenn MacRae