Prey: Natalie Bassingthwaighte's Feature Film
Former Neighbours’ Star and Singer Makes Silver Screen Debut
May 6, 2009 Alison Stieven-Taylor
Billed as a "candy-horror" movie Prey opens tonight in Melbourne at a celebrity-packed, invitation only event held at the Palace Como Cinema in South Yarra. In the lead roles are Natalie Bassingthwaighte and US actor Jesse Johnson, the son of Miami Vice’s Don Johnson.
In casting the pair the film’s producer Robert Galinsky of Top Cat Films said, "Our idea was to get a female rock star to draw the youth and gay markets and an American in the male lead for the US box office." Natalie and Jesse fit the bill perfectly.
Natalie Bassingthwaighte Makes Feature Film Debut
Natalie Bassingthwaighte is arguably the hottest talent in Australia at the moment. With a starring role on the Logie Award winning TV show So You Think You Can Dance Australia, a chart topping album 1000 Stars and legions of fans from her former stint on Neighbours and as the lead singer of hit band Rogue Traders, Natalie is riding high.
With her sights firmly set on the US market, and already a big hit in the UK, her silver screen debut is highly anticipated by fans and critics alike. In Prey Natalie plays ER surgeon Kate who needs a break from her hectic work schedule. When boyfriend Gus, played by Jesse Johnson, suggests a road trip with a bunch of good mates, Kate jumps at the chance.
Natalie was intrigued by the script even though she isn’t a fan of horror flicks. "I don’t really watch horror films, and that excited me. But Prey is a lot more than a horror film. It has so many layers and a reality you don’t normally see in horror films. It offered me many challenges."
Facebook Spreads The Word
The marketing of the film has taken a viral approach using SMS, emails and social sites like Facebook and My Space to spread the word. Away from cyberspace promotions have taken to the streets with large images of the film’s stars projected onto city structures, rock n’ roll style posters plastered on walls and radio stations holding Prey competitions where prizes include an on-screen appearance in a Top Cat Films production.
And a teaser alluding to a lesbian scene between the two Natalies – Bassingthwaighte and Walker – hasn’t done the film any harm either.
Prey Is Based On A True Story
Shot in Melbourne and Alice Springs Prey is loosely based on a true story. Two Americans vanished in the outback in the late eighties, their vehicle found empty in a sacred site. Eventually they turned up unharmed. Two years later they both died on the same day – one in New York and the other in Toronto.
"Maybe their deaths were a coincidence, but I love the fact that they crossed this sacred site – the whole point the bone thing, the supernatural - that’s what intrigues people," states Galinsky.
Jesse Johnson Is A Keen Fan Of The Horror Genre
Jesse said his interest in Prey was two-fold; he’s into horror films and also wanted the chance to work with Natalie Bassingthwaighte.
"I like horror, but it has to be well done and we have accomplished that. People are drawn to the genre and they will like what the see with Prey. It has been interesting to explore new territory, new genre, new actors, producers, new director and a new country. There was a real sense of adventure on set."
Prey opens this month in a limited number of theatres including the Palace Cinemas. Check local listings for details.
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