Maurice Gee is big in film at the moment: a movie based on his 1972 book In My Father’s Den has been chosen out of 203 on offer to open the 51st Sydney Film Festival. It’s the first time a NZ film has been chosen to open the Festival, which runs from 11-26 June.

The story is a mystery, a family portrait and a story about human frailties and strengths. A prize-winning war journalist (Matthew McFayden - Spooks) returns home to small town NZ and is pursued by a bored 16-year-old (Auckland newcomer Emily Barclay). She’s murdered and he’s blamed and as the truth finally emerges, he must ‘face the grievous consequences of the silence and secrecy that has surrounded his entire adult life’…

Festival director Gayle Lake said "I've always loved a good Antipodean movie, so I'm really happy to be opening my last SFF with one of the best New Zealand films I've seen for some time. Stunning performances, skilfully shot by Stuart Dryburgh [The Piano], beautifully adapted by [Director] Brad McGann from Maurice Gee's book - all this plus music from one of my all-time favourite albums, Patti Smith's Horses. What more could a festival director wish for?"

Indeed. Quite keen to see it over here!