Just Between Us

A Real Feel-Good Tale

Cast: Deanna Ortuso, Joanne Nguyen, Calista Fooks
Director: Christopher Kay
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama

Synopsis: 2 Girls. A Ghost. And a Torana…The Unfinished Road-trip of a Lifetime: an unadventurous people-pleaser and her childhood friend set off on a road-trip with the ghost of her late sister.

Invited as 1 of only 4 films accepted into the MIFF 37º South Market -Breakthru Screening Program' in 2017, Just Between Us screened to some of the biggest names in film acquisition and distribution, worldwide. It successfully signed with Australian distribution giant Umbrella Entertainment, and the producers are currently in talks for international sales.

The World Premiere in Melbourne sold out within hours; with a second and third Q&A Event Screening selling out the month before its release. This success and demand from audiences prompted Umbrella and Cinema Nova to give this 'Little Indie that Could" a general release. Starting 31st May 2018, sessions are already preselling. The Just Between Us Cast & Crew are celebrating that Australian audiences are embracing the movie and watching it in a theatrical setting, and urge Aussies to continue to "choose local" and "support Aussie film" at the cinema.

Joanne Nguyen & Deanna "Dee" Ortuso began the movie journey with the intention to inspire audiences with representations of a true Australia. Diversity - through ethnicity, body image and vocational skill (in front of and behind the camera) - is reflected in the film; with real people, real characters, and not exaggerated stereotypes. This universal story set in the Australian landscape - centring around sisterhood, friendship and a unique way of dealing with loss - garnered overwhelming support from those in and out of the Australian Film Industry for this drama/comedy/adventure.

The production secured 52 locations over 3 states (VIC, NSW & SA), 2000+ extras, guest appearances from Kaarin Fairfax (Picnic at Hanging Rock), Clayton Jacobson (Kenny), John Jarratt (Wolf Creek) and Barry Morgan (Spicks & Specks), and Daniel Scharf (E.P. Romper Stomper), Deb Fryers, and Jenny Lalor championing the film from early stages.

The privately funded film followed a production model similar to the studio-based model used internationally. Nguyen & Ortuso's commercial objective is to create sustainable projects with financial success and returns to investors.

"If this story can reach people's hearts and minds, and make them understand that celebrating life is much more important than mourning death, then the entire crew, cast and myself, have done what we all set out to do" - Christopher Kay (Director - Just Between Us)

The Creative Team: producers Ortuso (who stars as Hannah and also wrote the film) & Nguyen (who also stars as Trixie), along with Director/Editor Christopher Kay are thrilled to have been given the opportunity of a general theatrical release; when so many indie films struggle get a run past the odd Q&A screening.

Just Between Us takes you on a ride with laughs, feels, and heart-warming human spirit, and is winning audiences over with what it means to be human - no regrets, no matter where you come from.

This uplifting underdog of a film has already had requests to screen internationally, and demonstrates - in true Aussie style - what can be achieved when people from all different walks of life come together to create.

Just Between Us
Release Date: May 31st, 2018