The Deb (film)
| The Deb | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Rebel Wilson |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Based on | The Deb by Hannah Reilly and Meg Washington |
| Produced by | |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Ross Emery |
| Edited by | Jane Moran |
| Music by | Michael Yezerski |
Production companies | |
Release date | |
Running time | 119 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
The Deb is a 2024 Australian musical film directed by Rebel Wilson based on the stage musical of the same name.[1]
Premise
[edit]From the Screen Australia website: "The Deb follows lovable farm girl and high school outcast Taylah Simpkins, who is certain the upcoming Debutante Ball, ‘the Deb,’ is her one chance to redefine herself. When her cynical city cousin Maeve is exiled to Taylah's drought-stricken town Dunburn, she thinks the ball is a “heteronormative shit-show” and immediately disrupts the status quo. In their search for the spotlight, Taylah and Maeve dig deep to find self-acceptance — and a date to the Deb."[2]
Cast
[edit]- Natalie Abbott as Taylah Simpkins
- Charlotte MacInnes as Maeve Barker
- Stevie Jean as Annabelle
- Brianna Bishop as Danielle
- Karis Oka as Chantelle
- Hal Cumpston as Mitch
- Tara Morice as Shell
- Rebel Wilson as Janette
- Costa D'Angelo as Dusty
- Shane Jacobson as Rick Simpkins
- Susan Prior as Maeve's mother
Production
[edit]The stage show premiered in 2022. Filming commenced in September 2023.[3]
Wilson was inspired by Australian films such as The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Muriel's Wedding. “I really like seeing my culture on screen,” she said. “[Those films are] very seminal to me and I really wanted to create a movie that was like the modern version of those. Those movies have such charm, they’re so colourful, and they’re very funny. And they have real heart to them.”[4]
Premiere
[edit]The film premiered on 15 September 2024 as the closing film of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.[5]
Controversy & Legal Battle
[edit]Wilson accused some of the film's producers of blocking the movie's debut at the Toronto Film Festival, further accusing them - specially Amanda Ghost, Gregory Cameron and Vince Holden - of "bad behavior" including "inappropriate behavior towards the lead actress of the film" and "embezzling funds from the film’s budget" along with "absolute viciousness and retaliatory behavior." These claims were denied by the producers in question.[6]
In November 2024, Wilson lost a motion in a Californian court to protect herself from the film's producers' defamation lawsuit under anti-Slapp laws.[7][8] Wilson had claimed that her allegations against the producers had been in the public interest. However, the judge found they were “made in the context of [her] private business dispute” and that despite some of the allegations being criminal in nature, Wilson had not sought any criminal prosecution.[7][9] The film's lead actress, Charlotte MacInnes, also released a statement saying there was no sexual harassment inflicted on her by the Producers, contrary to Wilson’s claims.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony. "Rebel Wilson's 'The Deb' Set As TIFF Closing-Night Pic Despite Filmmaker Uproar; 'Nutcrackers' With Ben Stiller Opening Fest". Deadline. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ "The Deb 2024 Upcoming Production Report". Screen Australia. 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ Bamigboye, Baz (24 May 2023). "Rebel Wilson Makes A Splash In Cannes Announcing Her Feature Film Directing Debut 'The Deb' Will Shoot Down Under In September". Deadline. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ Ravindran, Manori (24 May 2023). "Rebel Wilson Directing Her First Movie 'The Deb,' An Australian Musical Comedy About a Debutante Ball Set in the Outback". Variety. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ Swift, Brendan (17 July 2024). "Rebel Wilson's 'The Deb' now set to close TIFF despite ongoing dispute with producers". If Magazine. Retrieved 6 August 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike (10 July 2024). "Rebel Wilson Wallops Backers Of Her Directing Debut 'The Deb' For Nixing Pic From Toronto Berth; Producers Call Claims "False, Defamatory And Disappointing" – Update". Deadline. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
- ^ a b Burke, Kelly (2024-11-24). "Rebel Wilson to appeal after US court rejects bid to have defamation case thrown out". The Guardian.
- ^ Cho, Winston (2024-11-22). "Rebel Wilson Loses Bid to Dismiss Defamation Lawsuit From 'The Deb' Producers". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Idato, Michael (2024-11-23). "Rebel Wilson loses bid to have defamation case thrown out". Sydney Morning Herald.
- ^ Patten, Dominic (2024-11-22). "Rebel Wilson Loses Bid To Have 'The Deb' Producers' Defamation Suit Nipped In The Free Speech Bud". Deadline.