New feature film showcases WA to the world

16/9/03
New international film Japanese Story, shot in Perth and the State's rugged North-West, was launched last night by Culture and Arts Minister Sheila McHale.
Shot in Western Australia last year, the film stars Toni Collette as a geologist who finds herself stranded in the desert with an enigmatic Japanese businessman.
The Gallop Government, through its film and television agency ScreenWest, invested $412,000 in the project.
"This investment helped gear up a spend of $1.5million within WA and employed 29 cast and crew during the local shoot," Ms McHale said.
"The film is a major coup for the State both in terms of economic benefits and employment for the local industry, as well as promoting the Pilbara as a tourist destination to the world.
"A feature film of this scale profiles the State's resources and natural beauty in a new light.
'With its distribution success to date, including in North America and many European countries, the North-West is poised to enjoy an increased profile."
Japanese Story's producers are the Melbourne-based, three person team of writer Alison Tilson, director Sue Brooks and producer Sue Maslin, whose previous work includes the 1997 feature 'Road To Nhill'.
The creative team joined the Minister for the opening at Monza in Leederville.
Japanese actor Gotaro Tsunashima plays the male lead of Hiromitsu, the businessman on a trip to the mines and deserts of WA.
Much of the film is shot on location at BHP Billiton's iron ore mines and processing plants in the Pilbara.
BHP Billiton also provided in-kind and cash support for the film - the company has been nominated for a State Arts Sponsorship Award, which will be decided in November this year.
Japanese Story opens on September 25 at cinemas across the country.

Minister's office: 9213 6900