FUN AND ENGAGING, PLEASE

CHOOSING How to Please a Woman as the opening “act” for the Gold Coast Film Festival was a stroke of genius. A genuinely funny film but with enough underlying depth to create a discourse for movie goers after they had left the cinema.

The reaction was particularly pleasing for Renee Webster (pictured with star Alexander England), the writer and director, who was aiming for that exact reaction.

“When I was writing the script my focus was always on the audience. I wanted it to be fun but the comedy couldn’t be too broad so everyone could have a good time and then have a great discussion about some of the issues raised,” said Renee.

Even getting UK star Sally Phillips, of Bridget Jones and Spank the Pony fame, was a planned move. “When I wrote it I always had Sally in mind to play the lead. I sent her the script, she read it and loved it, even quoting some of the dialogue back to me. There was a trial showing in Perth in a 1000-seat theatre and it sold out over its seven-day run so I’m very hopeful that it will resonate with audiences across the globe.

“I have a firm belief that watching a movie should be a shared experience and something like this highlights so many emotions which needs to be seen with other people.”

The script itself is based on a true story with insights and conversations and some of Renee’s life thrown into the mix.

“I wanted each character, especially the men, to have their own story although I had to keep asking myself, ‘How hard can I push this?’

“If it creates conversations between men and women about intimacy and being heard then I will be very happy.”

The film is set for broad release from mid-may.