WHAT do you picture when someone mentions the word Christmas.
Maybe you envisage a candlelit banquet filled with delicious seafood, ham, mince pies and assortment of decadent gingerbread treats with children’s festive laughter in the background.
Or maybe you imagine a chaotic scene of stress, mess and bickering accumulating into a giant seasonal heart attack.
Director Madeline Dyer’s latest Christmas film takes the latter approach.
A Savage Christmas recently premiered at Mansfield Armchair Cinema, with acclaimed Australian actor Gary Sweet, Rekha Ryan and Max Jahufer joining the audience for a Q&A session.
The film follows transwoman Davina Savage, who returns home for Christmas after years of estrangement.
However, her transition is overshadowed by her dysfunctional family’s hilarious secrets and lies which threaten to ruin another Christmas lunch.
The film’s glorious concoction of backyard footy, beatboxing, politically incorrect in-laws and hitmen makes for a classic Aussie slapstick comedy that still fills audiences with a sentimental sense of Christmas spirit.
Actor and cowriter Max Jahufer was thrilled to introduce audiences to the Savage Family.
“We are super proud of this film and it’s been amazing to hear so much great feedback from everyone,” he said.
Despite their hilarious onscreen antics, Max and costar Rekha said the funniest incidents appeared off camera.
“We shot this film in 40 degree heat in Queensland, so at times Rekha had ice packs strapped to her,” Max said.
“We were all a bit delirious but honestly had so much fun.”
Rekha saw the film for the first time at the Brisbane International Film festival in November.
“It was amazing to see it on the big screen and lovely to share it with my family,” she said.
“We had so much fun filming the movie it almost didn’t matter how the film would be received.
“But it’s great to hear that people are loving it.”
Both Rekha and Max were complimentary of their veteran costar Gary Sweet, describing him as “incredibly generous with his time”.
“It was mine and Rehka’s first film, so Gary was really wonderful and patient,” Max explained.
“He was honestly just a blast to work with.”
Gary was also full of praise for his younger costars.
“It was a quick shoot but we had a lot of laughs and it’s great to work with such enthusiastic new actors,” he said.
“You’re never too old to learn things and I loved watching them.”
All three actors agreed A Savage Christmas would undoubtedly join their Christmas classic watch-list.
However they also shared a few of their timeless Christmas flicks with the Courier.
“The Grinch is actually a family-favourite for me, my brother watches it every year,” Rehka laughed.
Max loved Home Alone while Gary highlighted the 1946 academy award-winning It’s A Wonderful Life as his favourite.
However, all three actors couldn’t ignore Richard Cutis’ cult classic, Love Actually.
“I always have some tears when Colin Firth declares his love for his woman and even more so when Emma Thompson cries,” Gary said.
“It’s definitely a classic.”
Mansfield Armchair Cinema’s Karen Oliver loved A Savage Christmas and thanked the cast for making the trip to Mansfield.
“It’s so amazing to have these Q&A sessions because it reminds the community that we’re here and gets them involved,” she said.
“Cinema is a wonderful thing and there’s nothing better than Christmas movies during the holidays.
“Keep your eyes peeled because we have a few classic Christmas flicks coming up.”
A Savage Christmas is now showing at Mansfield Armchair Cinema.
