SAM NEILL IN PERFECT STRANGERS
TUESDAY 4th JUNE 2002

Gaylene Preston’s romantic thriller has commenced pre-production on the West Coast of the South Island. Sam Neill and Rachael Blake are signed to play a pair of unconventional lovers in this darkly funny, deadly serious story.

For the first time Gaylene Preston directs her own original screenplay.

PERFECT STRANGERS is produced by Gaylene Preston Productions in association with Huntaway Productions. Writer/director/producer Gaylene Preston (WAR STORIES OUR MOTHERS NEVER TOLD US teams up once again with producer Robin Laing (their joint ventures include MR WRONG, RUBY AND RATA, and BREAD & ROSES). Huntaway’s Jay Cassells is associate producer.

Sam Neill burst on the scene in 1977 in Roger Donaldson's SLEEPING DOGS. PERFECT STRANGERS is his first New Zealand feature role since THE PIANO in 1993. Neill’s impressive filmography includes lead roles in films which have become world classics such as DEAD CALM, JURASSIC PARK, THE DISH and the British TV series REILLY: THE ACE OF SPIES.

Rachael Blake made a distinguished international cinema debut with her performance in the recent Australian psychological thriller LANTANA, which won her an AFI Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Cinematography is by Alun Bollinger (HEAVENLY CREATURES) and production design by Joe Bleakley (Off Set Art Director THE LORD OF THE RINGS).

PERFECT STRANGERS was developed with assistance from the New Zealand Film Commission.

This project is the second film to be supported by The New Zealand Film Production Fund. The Fund was established to support the production of New Zealand films by established film makers.