Motion Pictures
November 7, 2000
Warner Bros. Pictures Acquires North American Rights To Release The Hit Australian Comedy, “The Dish”
(November 7, 2000 – Burbank, CA) – Warner Bros. Pictures has acquired North American distribution rights to the Australian hit “The Dish,” the new comedy from director Rob Sitch (“The Castle”), it was announced today by Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
One of the favorite films to emerge at this year’s Toronto Film Festival, “The Dish” tells the true story of a group of eccentric Australian scientists manning a remote satellite dish who, much to NASA’s alarm, are the only hope for receiving the historic images of man’s first steps on the moon. With help from a colorful cast of local characters, the crew struggles to overcome a series of mishaps to play their part in one of mankind’s greatest achievements in an exciting, emotional and truly funny way.
A Distant Horizon presentation of a Working Dog Production, “The Dish” is directed by Rob Sitch (“The Castle”) and stars Sam Neill (“The Horse Whisperer,” “The Piano”), Kevin Harrington (“Sea Change”), Tom Long (“Two Hands,” “Strange Planet”) and Patrick Warburton (“Scream 3,” “Seinfeld”). Edited by Jill Bilcock (“Romeo and Juliet,” “Elizabeth”), the film is written, conceived and produced by the creative team of Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Jane Kennedy and Rob Sitch and executive produced by Michael Hirsh. Kennedy also acted as casting director and music supervisor and Cilauro served as 2nd Unit Director. “The Dish” is the second feature from Working Dog Productions. Anant Singh of Distant Horizon is the producer’s rep on the project.
“‘The Dish’ is a hilarious and touching movie and we are delighted to have the opportunity to bring it to North American audiences,” said Fellman. “We are equally pleased to work with Michael Hirsh and this talented group of filmmakers from Working Dog Productions.”
“We could not be happier with Warner Bros. Pictures’ commitment to ‘The Dish,’” said Michael Hirsh on behalf of the filmmakers. “To have a major studio like Warner Bros. Pictures share our vision to this project is very rewarding. We Australians are proud to be working once again with America as we did thirty years ago during the moon landing.”
When it opened in Australia, “The Dish” became the number one highest grossing Australian film in the history of Australian cinema. “The film has had a phenomenal response from both critics and audiences alike and I felt that it has potential in every market,” said Singh. “It is also a pleasure to work with the tremendously talented group of filmmakers at Working Dog.”
The acquisition of “The Dish” was initiated by Quinn Coleman, director of co-productions and acquisitions for Warner Bros. Pictures. Distant Horizon concluded a deal on behalf of Working Dog with Warner Bros. Pictures for North American rights. # # #