The Cup: the movie that will stop a nation?
Encore visited the Geelong set of Simon Wincer’s new project The Cup which, although shot on a tight schedule, he hopes will be ‘the movie that stops a nation’ when it’s released in 2011.
The Cup tells the story of Damien Oliver (played by Stephen Curry), winner of the 2002 Melbourne Cup with the horse Media Puzzle and the support of Irish trainer Dermot Weld (Brendan Gleeson). Oliver’s brother (Daniel MacPherson) was killed one week before the event in a horse racing accident in Perth – which also reflects the way their father died 27 years ago.
US journalist Eric O’Keefe heard of Oliver’s story and contacted Wincer, trying to get more information from his Australian friend to write a magazine article. Wincer looked into it and rang him back saying “This is a movie!”
Wincer is, of course, no stranger to horse-themed projects, from 1983’s Phar Lap to the 2008 CBS miniseries Comanche Moon. He’s even the one who famously freed ‘Willy’ the whale.
Good luck with it all Simon and Eric.Well done.It was great working with you and being Brendon Gleesons Standin.
Thoroughly enjoyed being an ” extra” at etihad stadium earlier this year – look forward to the release of the movie next Easter best wishes for a healthy and happy 2011!!
Enjoyed working as an extra in Geelong, must say Stephen Curry and Tom Burlinson were very friendly when I presented the Cup, could never work out who I was supposed to be, President of the Geelong racing club or CEO of GMH, hope I don’t end up on the cutting room floor, I reckon it would be cold and hard, good luck with the release.
Thoroughly enjoyed my time in Geelong working as an extra on The Cup,
can’t wait until the release. I played the part of a trainer and was in the
mounting yard and in some other scenes so hope i get to be in the film.
Great Fun!
I just read in “The Australian” that the release date for this movie is October 13, during the lead up to the spring carnival. Seems like a long time off, it had been touted for Easter in a few of the articles.