The Correspondent (film)
| The Correspondent | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Kriv Stenders |
| Screenplay by | Peter Duncan |
| Based on | The First Casualty by Peter Greste |
| Produced by | Carmel Travers |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Geoffrey Hall |
| Edited by | Veronika Jenet |
| Music by | Tom Ellard |
Production company | Pop Family Entertainment production |
| Distributed by | Maslow Entertainment |
Release dates |
|
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
The Correspondent is a 2024 biographical legal thriller directed by Kriv Stenders from a screenplay by Peter Duncan. The film stars Richard Roxburgh, Julian Maroun, Rahel Romahn, Yael Stone, and Mojean Aria. The plot focuses on Australian foreign correspondent and journalist Peter Greste, who was arrested in Cairo and held in an Egyptian prison, and is adapted from Greste's 2017 memoir The First Casualty.
The Correspondent is scheduled to be theatrically released in Australia on 17 April 2025.
Synopsis
The film is based on the real-life story of Australian foreign correspondent and journalist Peter Greste, who was arrested in Cairo after being accused of spreading false news and aiding the Muslim Brotherhood.
Cast
- Richard Roxburgh as Peter Greste
- Julian Maroun as Mohamed Fahmy[1]
- Rahel Romahn as Baher Mohamed
- Yael Stone
- Mojean Aria
- Nic Cassim
- Fayssal Bazzi
- Majid Shokor
- Josh McConville
- Hazem Shammas
Production
The Correspondent is a legal thriller film directed by Kriv Stenders from a screenplay by Peter Duncan. The screenplay, written by Duncan, is adapted from Greste's 2017 memoir The First Casualty. Geoffrey Hall was responsible for the cinematography, and the film was produced by Carmel Travers.[2]
The film wrapped production in March 2024, after six weeks of shooting in Sydney.[3][1]
When discussing his performance, Roxburgh said he made no attempt to imitate Greste; instead he focused on "empathetically reaching into his experience as much as I could". He described the shoot as a "gruelling and horrendous" due to the confined, claustrophobic nature of the story and production.[4]
Release
The first trailer was released on the 24 September 2024.[5] The film premiered during the opening night of the 2024 Adelaide Film Festival on 23 October.[6]
The Correspondent is scheduled to be released by Maslow Entertainment in Australia on 17 April 2025,[7] after initially having been scheduled on 26 December 2024.[8]
Critical reception
Screenhub's Stephen A Russell said the film stands tall on Roxburgh’s "capable shoulders even as it zips through the ordeal at a fair clip".[8] While Penelope Debelle said Roxburgh's performance manages to encapsulate "Greste’s unshowy character" and is "notably quiet... devoid of sentimentality and free of heroics".[9]
The film received praise for Duncan's "strong" screenplay.[9]
References
- ^ a b Slatter, Sean (15 March 2024). "Richard Roxburgh, Julian Maroun, Rahel Romahn play captured Cairo trio in Kriv Stenders' 'The Correspondent'". if.com.au.
- ^ "The Correspondent". Adelaide Film Festival. 25 October 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (14 March 2024). "Richard Roxburgh Wraps Peter Greste Detention Film 'The Correspondent' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
- ^ "Program: "It was absolutely appalling" - actor Richard Roxburgh on filming The Correspondent" (audio (2 min 22 sec.) + text). ABC Listen. ABC Radio Adelaide. 26 October 2024.
- ^ "THE CORRESPONDENT Official Trailer". Youtube. Maslow Entertainment. 24 September 2024.
- ^ Keen, Suzie (20 August 2024). "Thriller about Peter Greste's jail nightmare to open 2024 Adelaide Film Festival". In Review.
- ^ "The Correspondent". Palace Nova. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ a b Russell, Stephen A. (24 October 2024). "The Correspondent, film review: Peter Greste thriller on a vitally important topic". Screen Hub.
- ^ a b Debelle, Penellope (24 October 2024). "Film Festival review: The Correspondent". In Review.