Based on the riveting true story of Australian war correspondent Peter Greste’s shocking imprisonment in Egypt in 2013, THE CORRESPONDENT is a gripping biographical thriller about the relentless defence of the truth and triumph of the human spirit. Helmed by Red Dog director Kriv Stenders, the incredible story stars Richard Roxburgh (Rake, Moulin Rouge!) in a commanding career best performance. While covering the news desk in Cairo for a colleague over the Christmas holidays, Australian journalist Peter Greste (Roxburgh) is arrested and accused of terrorism. He has become a pawn in the middle of a deadly game full of corrupt officials and ancient rivalries. Now the subject of his own worldwide news story, with only his wits and unlikely allies keeping him alive, Greste’s very survival means staring down a brutal regime. Opening the 2024 Adelaide Film Festival, THE CORRESPONDENT is a chilling exploration of the risks journalists face in the pursuit of truth and the fragility of press freedom in the face of authoritarian power. While maintaining a palpable overarching sense of dread, screenwriter Peter Duncan’s use of absurdist humour works effectively to bring out the stark ridiculousness of the horrific ordeal, allowing for some light to cut through the bleakness of the visually striking yet emotionally heavy narrative. An ultimately tightly drawn portrait of one man’s determination to speak truth to power, THE CORRESPONDENT raises the question, “How much is a headline worth?”, while delivering a poignant reminder of the extraordinary courage it takes to stand up to authoritarian regimes.