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A retired footballer becomes the coach of his hometown's struggling Australian Rules Football team in THE MERGER, a hilarious, heartfelt comedy from Down Under. The town of Bodgy Creek has seen better days. Jobs are scarce and their beloved footy club, The Roosters, looks like it will have to merge with another team or fold. Living a hermit-like existence on his farm, former AFL star player Troy Carrington (Damian Callinan) hatches a plan to save The Roosters after striking up an unlikely friendship with Neil (Rafferty Grierson), a 10-year-old aspiring filmmaker who recently lost his father. Joining forces with Neil's mother, Angie (Kate Mulvany, "The Hunters"), who runs a nearby refugee support center, Troy rebuilds the rag-tag team and leads the community on a journey of change and redemption.

Media

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Bonus Materials

• Audio Commentary with director Mark Grentell and writer/star Damian Callinan
• Behind the Scenes featurette 'Making The Merger' (10 min)
• Interview with Mark Grentell by Cinema Australia (14 min)
• Official Trailer

Sales Points

• Based on Aussie comedian Damian Callinan's successful one man stage show
• AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) Award NOMINEE, Best Supporting Actor - Fayssal Bazzi
• For fans of Aussie favorites The Castle, Red Dog and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
• AACTA (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) Award NOMINEE, Best Lead Actress - Kate Mulvany
• Reminiscent of recent Aussie hits Ali's Wedding and Three Summers
• People's Choice Award NOMINEE, Best Narrative Feature, Melbourne International Film Festival
• FCCA (Film Critics Circle of Australia) Award NOMINEE, Best Actress - Kate Mulvany
• AFCA (Australian Film Critics Association) Award NOMINEE, Best Actress - Kate Mulvany
• CGA (Casting Guild of Australia Awards) Award NOMINEE, Best Casting in a Feature Film, Faith Martin
• From the director of suburban cricket comedy Backyard Ashes

Press Quotes

Set against the political backdrop of Australia's refugee policy and the racism it generates, Mark Grentell's The Merger uses the genre of the sports film to explore - and ultimately challenge - the attitudes around this hotly contested topic.

     —The Conversation

The Merger presents Sport as a platform for human connection that crosses class structures and culture.

     —The Guardian

An unabashed feel good flick promoting tolerance and good will to all

     —Chris Greenwood, A Sliver of Film

A bloody ripper of an Australian sports movie

     —Glenn Dunks, Flicks

The Merger has a massive heart, and it's unequivocally in the right place

     —Erin Free, FilmInk

An affable Australian comedy that shouts its message loud and clear, but does so with warmth

     —Sarah Ward, screenhub

A charming and funny mix of social issues, sports, and true-blue Aussie humour

     —Matthew Pejkovic, Matt's Movie Reviews

The little Aussie film with a big heart that's kicking goals

     —Seanna Cronin, The Gladstone Observer

A thoroughly charming story

     —Glenn Dunks, Flicks

It's one thing to mean well. Damian Callinan actually does well with his good-hearted and genuine footy comedy

     —Simon Miraudo, Student Edge

Raffety Grierson is a revelation

     —Stephen Scott, SuperQuick

Fuses low-brow comedy with the high, hilariously

     —Simon Miraudo, Student Edge

An instant classic

     —Kendal Coombs, Film Blerg

Well made play-to-the-bleacher-seats entertainment

     —Luke Buckmaster, The Guardian