This November, ground-breaking New Zealand cinema cult classic, Desperate Remedies will have a new life and lavish red carpet “re-premiere”, remastered in 4K UHD with Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound and released in its original format for the first time in 20 years.
Set in a town called Hope at the turn of the 20th century, Desperate Remedies stars Jennifer Ward Lealand (Dirty Laundry), Lisa Chappell (McLeod’s Daughters) and the late Kevin Smith (Xena Warrior Princess) in a whirlwind love triangle, made even more complicated by the sly machinations of a failing politician businessman, played by Michael Hurst (Terry Teo), and a sexy but devious opium dealer played by Cliff Curtis, in his feature film debut (Fear the Walking Dead, The Piano).
Described as “A delirious creation… Gainsborough on acid” by Screen International, “Startling, voluptuous… witty sensual entertainment” by the Dominion Post, and “Camper than a row of tents!” by Empire Magazine, the multi-award winning film took the world by storm in 1992 and made a huge splash in New Zealand and Australia.
The film is written and directed by Stewart Main and Peter Wells and was produced by James Wallace Productions in association with The New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand on Air and Avalon/NFU Studios.
The return of Desperate Remedies has been made possible by months of behind-the-scenes planning by Sir James Wallace, Wallace Productions Ltd associate producer Grae Burton, the New Zealand Film Commission and its restoration team, and the Te Ahi Ka initiative to preserve and protect and project the best of New Zealand cinema.
On 28 November, Desperate Remedies will screen for one night only at the home of the original premiere, The Civic.
