A poignant commentary on both accepting mortality and coming-of-age, JUNIPER unveils a ‘positively thrilling’ performance from Oscar-nominated actress Charlotte Rampling (45 Years, Stardust Memories, Broadchurch) along with remarkable skill from emerging New Zealand talent George Ferrier.
Seventeen-year-old Sam has been on a self-destructive spiral that could lead to his death. He returns home to rural New Zealand from boarding school to find his wheelchair-bound English grandmother, Ruth has moved in. Ruth is a hard-drinking ex-war photographer with a lust for life and a love of the bottle.
Sam soon finds himself profoundly confronted by her alcoholic wit and chutzpah. Their first meeting is awkward; their second violent. Things get worse when Sam finds himself stranded alone with her and her nurse Sarah for the school holidays. Both strong-willed characters, a battle of supremacy ensues, enabling Sam to embrace life again and for Ruth to face her mortality.
The sensitive character-driven drama, from first-time feature film director Matthew Saville, showcases a striking and compelling relationship between Grandmother and Grandson with touches of dark humour that will resonate with both young and old.
"Rampling is of course in formidable form and local newcomer George Ferrier immediately commands our attention with a contained explosive performance."
- Newshub
"Well-made and affecting, and positively thrilling when Rampling is on screen."
- Hollywood Reporter
"Screen doyenne Charlotte Rampling anchors this sensitive New Zealand family drama set in the early 90s."
- New Zealand Herald
Thursday 4th August
95 min
M
Drama
Pentridge Cinema, Palace Balwyn, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Brighton Bay, The Kino, Palace Westgarth, Palace Norton Street, Palace Central, Palace Verona, Palace Byron Bay, Palace James St, Palace Barracks, Palace Electric Cinema, Palace Raine Square
