MANILLA might be a small country town, but it will soon make its debut on the big screen.
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Filming wrapped up at the weekend for psychological thriller Ritual which saw big-name Australian actors including Gary Sweet (House Husbands) and Alison Whyte converge on the North West to play starring roles.
The movie was filmed in several locations in the Manilla area including at the estate of Jenny and Cameron Henderson who are related to the film’s director Bobby Linsley.
Up to 30 people involved in the film were hosted by Manilla’s iconic pubs and even locals were able to catch a glimpse of the production process.
“It’s a psychological thriller, or even some would say a psychological horror story,” Mr Linsley told The Leader
“I basically wrote the script around having an excuse to film at the Henderson estate,
”It’s the oldest estate in town, a federation house, and it suited the layout of the story perfectly.
“In a nutshell, it’s about a girl from a very religious family that goes missing and a policeman sets out to find her.
“It is all set in Manilla and around rural NSW.”
Mr Linsley studied film in New York and was pleased to be producing the film in Australia.
It is hoped the film can be entered in the film festival circuits including at Toronto and Cannes.
Mr Linsley said it was “not to shabby” to have Gary Sweet on deck, who was a late inclusion after the previous lead actor had to give up the role.
A four-day shoot in Manilla saw a dramatic explosion take place in an intense scene at a property on Somerton Rd with Rural Fire Service volunteers on standby.
“One of the local farmers, charitably, offered to let us burn his house down,” Mr Linsley said.
“We had all the Tamworth RFS around and the volunteer fire fighters on standby. Every precaution was taken.”
The film was self funded by Mr Linsley with 90 per cent of the cost coming out of his own pocket.
It is hoped a screening of the finished product could take place in the area.