9Go! and 9Now to air Aussie festive Film Christmess on Christmas night
EXCLUSIVE: This Christmas night, Aussie audiences are in for a treat as the heartwarming yet raw film Christmess premieres on 9Go! and 9Now.
Christmess airs 9.30pm on Christmas Day on 9Go! and 9Now.
Directed by Heath Davis, the indie flick offers a fresh take on the festive season, diverging from the snow-laden clichés of traditional Christmas movies.
The film stars Steve Le Marquand as Chris, a washed-up actor-turned-mall Santa battling alcoholism. His chance encounter with his estranged daughter (played by Nicole Pastor) sparks a journey of redemption and recovery.
Darren Gilshenan plays Chris' sponsor Nick and Hannah Joy rounds out the cast in a key supporting role.
Steve Le Marquand, Darren Gilshenan and Hannah Joy star in Christmess. Supplied
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Christmess has already received critical acclaim and is nominated for Best Indie Film at the 2024 AACTA Awards. For Davis, the recognition is a testament to the dedication of his cast and crew.
"It's really amazing and just a wonderful acknowledgement for all the hard work carried out by the entire cast and crew," Davis shared in an interview with 9Entertainment.
Heath Davis is the writer and director of Christmess. Supplied
"The film has captured hearts across the globe, and the AACTA nomination is a lovely cherry on top."
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Davis also revealed his inspiration for Christmess was born out of frustration with typical holiday movies.
"During the first year of COVID, I watched every Christmas film imaginable. And I couldn't identify with any of them," he explained. "They were all about wealthy, entitled, beautiful people set in the snow in search of faux love. I thought it was time someone actually made a Christmas-set film with emotional truth, realistic characters, and 40-degree heat. And so Christmess was spawned."
Steve Le Marquand plays Chris, a washed-up actor-turned-mall Santa battling alcoholism. Supplied
Set in Sydney's southwestern suburbs, the movie tackles heavy themes like addiction and estrangement, balancing heartbreak with humour. Davis is proud of the film's emotional authenticity.
"The emotional truth and realism are what set this film apart. It captures the anxiety, stress, and emotional turmoil the festive season brings for so many people in a raw and real way," he said. "At times it's heartbreaking, while at others it's very funny – just like real life itself."
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Davis credited the film's success to its talented cast, describing the experience of working with them as transformative.
"It was a dream cast, truly," he said. "We made the film in a COVID bubble, and we really were like a family. The chemistry between the three leads is what makes the movie and gives it its giant heart. I'm forever indebted to them."
Darren Gilshenan plays Chris' sponsor Nick. Supplied
As the film makes its free-to-air debut on 9Go! and 9Now, Davis hopes it will resonate with audiences who might be struggling during the holidays.
"I'm excited for them to see a real film about Christmas, which they are going to enjoy and that is proudly an Australian story," he said.
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"For those doing it a bit tough at Christmas, this film will also give you a bit of hope. The ideal and reality of Christmas are vastly different. There's no such thing as the perfect Christmas."
"It's OK to not be OK."
As for what's on the horizon, Davis is diving into a fascinating new project.
"We are currently in early production on a documentary about Jack Karlson, aka Mr. Succulent Chinese Meal/Democracy Manifest," he teased.
In 1991 a news outlet captured a video of a man being arrested by Australian police at a Chinese restaurant. As the police forcibly detained him, he remarked, "Gentlemen, this is democracy manifest! What is the charge? Eating a meal? A succulent Chinese meal?"
The video was uploaded to the internet in 2009.
Jack Karlson, aka Mr. Succulent Chinese Meal/Democracy Manifest will be the source of Heath Davis' next project. 7 News / Chris Reason
The Guardian, in 2019, called it "perhaps the pre-emminent Australian meme of the past 10 years".
"Jack, who isn't even his real name, was an amazing man who lived an extraordinary life. We hope to bring that out perhaps next Christmas.
Christmess airs 9.30pm on Christmas night on 9Go! and 9Now.
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