The stars of Netflix’s latest Australian feature film “Allen” gathered in Brisbane on Wednesday night for a special screening ahead of its global streaming debut today.
Held at Angelika Cinemas, the event brought together cast members TJ Power, Josh Helman, Emily Barclay and Benedict Hardie, alongside co-directors Daley Pearson and Jeffrey Walker, to celebrate the Queensland-made production.
Produced by Pearson’s Emmy and BAFTA-winning Ludo Studio, best known for creating the global phenomenon “Bluey,” “Allen” marks the company’s first live-action feature.
Co-directed by Pearson and Walker, and co-written by Pearson and Sophie Miller, “Allen” follows Peter (played by Power), a man whose childhood best friend was an alien named Allen, who mysteriously disappeared without saying goodbye. Twenty years later, Allen unexpectedly returns, bringing with him a secret that could change the world. But as the pair reunite, Petey must confront his past and finally grow up if he’s going to help save it.
Speaking to Variety Australia at the premiere, Pearson said that while the film explores deeper themes of grief, growing up and balancing wonder with responsibility, he ultimately hopes audiences walk away feeling a little lighter.
“I just hope, and I think we hope families and people just find it funny,” he told us. “I hope they watch it and they find it funny and for 90 minutes, they feel a bit better.”
Pearson also reflected on his long-held ambition to collaborate with Walker, revealing that their creative partnership grew out of the weekly “Bluey” screenings hosted by Ludo Studio.
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“I’d been trying to work with Jeffrey for years,” he said. “Through the ‘Bluey’ screenings, we struck up a friendship and I think we were, I sort of described it as, it felt like we were looking for a party to go to, like something to make.
“I realised I was in the middle of ‘Allen’ and I just wanted to work with him,” he continued. “He’s so talented. I learned a lot from him and I just wanted to work with him.”
Check out some of the best pics from the night below.
Allen premieres on Netflix at 7pm (AEDT) tonight.
