50 Ways of Saying Fabulous

2004 FEATURE FILM

A poignantly comic story of friendship for anyone who grew up in a small town, grew up gay or simply grew up.

"This is an important film – it's about young men falling in love". Rima te Wiata
Set in the summer of 1975, 50 Ways of Saying Fabulous is the beguiling story of 12 year-old Billy, who is about to discover that growing up is a lot more confusing than he could have ever imagined. He is a farmer's only son who is out of step with the other boys at his school. He feels they only want to fight and play rugby; he tries to be the same, but feels he was never cut out to be a farmer or a rugby player. Instead, he would rather dream about an imaginary life in outer space. In this world, a turnip paddock becomes a lunar landscape and a cow's tail a head of beautiful blonde hair which transforms him into "Lana" the heroine of his favourite TV show.
When a strange boy, Roy, arrives at Billy's school Billy's world is changed forever. As he learns about his sexuality, everything he knows is called into question, including his lifelong loyalty to his best friend, tomboy Lou, whose world is changing alongside his.
Set in New Zealand's stunning Central Otago landscape, 50 Ways of Saying Fabulous carries the audience along with Billy as he embarks on life as teenager. Director Stewart Main says his film "celebrates difference and being true to one's self."
50 Ways of Saying Fabulous is a fresh telling of gay awakening, real, grotesque, funny and moving by turns.

Written / Directed by Stewart Main.
Starring Andrew Paterson, Harriet Beattie, Jay Collins, Michael Dorman, Georgia McNeil, Ross McKellar, Stephanie McKellar-Smith, Rima te Wiata, George Mason, Michelle O'Brien.
Producer: Michele Fantl.
Line Producer: Dorthe Scheffmann.
Director of Photography: Simon Raby.
Editor: Peter Roberts.
Composer: Peter Scholes.
Sound: Dick Reade.
Production Design: Ken Turner.
Casting: Fiona Edgar & Jan Saussey.
Costume Design: Kirsty Cameron.
Make Up / Hair design: Tracey Sharman.

World Premiere Toronto Film Festival 2005 – official selection (Visions).
Sold to North America – Olive Films & distributed by Arkles Entertainment NZ.
Queerfest Sydney & Melbourne 2006.
London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 2006.
Turin Film Festival 2006 (Jury Prize).
8th Annual Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.
Frameline 30 San Francisco International LGBT Festival.
Theatrical release June 2006 at the Quad Cinemas in New York with the New Zealand theatrical release Aug 2006.
DVD currently available as a rental in all good video stores.

Watch a clip here.
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