It was a happy day for filmmaker Samuel Gay when he finally opened his new film – A Guide to Dating at the End of the World at the Palace Barracks on 25 August. This Brisbane set and based film is a delightful comedy/ romance/sci – fi movie set in the Brisbane of 2010. It was in fact filmed in 2010 and premiered at the Winton Film Festival , before eventually opening with this screening at the Palace Barracks. A joyous crowd of cast , crew, friends and media gathered to thoroughly enjoy this special screening. We were also treated to a Q&A with the stars, producer and director after the movie to find out more about this labour of love.
The Story
Imagine you are set up on a blind date and you tell the guy that you “ wouldn’t date him if he were the last man on EARTH.”
Then you wake up to a deserted city! A single woman survives the apocalypse only to be reacquainted with her blind date from hell. The movie is based on a true story. Kind of….
When Alex wakes up to a deserted Brisbane she soon finds she is not the only one left. John seems to be the only other person to have survived and he has the skills to help her live and thrive in this post apocalyptic world. As Alex gets to know the real John, friendship and romance blossoms.
But enter Wendy , the smart and very pretty ‘ other woman’ who has a plan to bring everyone back. Will the savvy Wendy come between John and Alex, as she tries to save the world? Not if Alex can help it.
Sometimes all it takes is an apocalyptic catastrophe to find your true love.
This movie was sweet and a great date night movie. My science loving husband delighted in the descriptions of wormholes and Higgs Boson. We loved seeing the shots of Paddington, Yatala Drive In and The Story Bridge. It’s so uniquely Brisbane.
The pairing of Kerith Atkinson (Alex) and Tony Brockman ( John) showed a lovely chemistry, and both were professional and believable in the roles. I loved their banter and developing romance. It was all very relatable. For me, as a romance writer, it was the perfect enemies to lovers arc.
The film, A Guide to Dating at the End Of the World, was heartwarming and funny and would appeal to audiences of all ages. I love supporting some of our local films and artists who are creating movies with an Australian flavour. This one tickles the funny bone and will warm the cockles of your heart. It’s worth going just to spot some of your favourite local haunts on the big screen. A Guide to Dating at the End of the World is showing now at select Palace Cinemas.
Michelle Beesley is a Brisbane born and bred former primary school teacher. A wife, proud grandma and mother of three grown sons, Michelle is thrilled to have recently published her debut contemporary romance novel, It Happened in Paris, with Serenade Publishing. Her novella – Escape to D’ Amour was published in 2019. Michelle’s work can be found in the anthologies – Destination Romance and Short & Sweet. When not reading or writing Michelle can be found at a coffee shop chatting with friends, front row at a fashion show, or beside a rugby union field cheering on her favourite teams.
Michelle is a reluctant traveller, Francophile, keen walker and avid yoga enthusiast plus a book, film and theatre lover who loves everything pink and sparkly (including champagne). You can find Michelle on instagram @michellebeesley_writer and her website: michellebeesley.com.
