Talk of the Town: Mystery surrounds couple’s BIFF role

It seemed a great idea at the time: a world-famous husband-and-wife movie team as patrons of the Brisbane International Film Festival. But things haven’t quite panned out as planned.

T SEEMED like quite the coup for Brisbane International Film Festival organisers when they announced award-winning film duo director Baz Luhrmannand his wife, costume designer Catherine Martin, were this year’s patrons – particularly with the pair making the new Elvis biopic in Queensland early next year.

But before the festival has even begun, many behind the scenes have been left scratching their heads.

Filmmaker Baz Luhrmann arrives in Brisbane for Hugh Jackman’s show ahead of Elvis filming

Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin have been named patrons of the 2019 Brisbane International Film Festival

BIFF 2019 has it all Including zombies and Baz Luhrmann

Less than a week before BIFF’s opening night at GOMA on Thursday, organisers are on tenterhooks to learn whether Luhrmann and Martin will attend the festival at all.

Despite the fact Luhrmann and Martin will be in town next week in time for opening night, they have decided not to attend. Nor will they show up to the closing night event.

Disappointed organisers have been told by Luhrmann and Martin’s assistant that their celebrity patrons are keen to attend a screening but in what capacity or what film remains a mystery. Organisers hope to find out early to mid-next week.

Luhrmann’s contribution so far includes selecting a few films for the program.

Some are questioning the point of having high-profile patrons if they are not available to attend more than one event?

Director Baz Luhrmann and costume designer wife Catherine Martin

Particularly as last year’s patrons, internationally renowned Australian director Bruce Beresford and award-winning film producer and author Sue Milliken were thrilled to be part of BIFF. And they made a real show of it – attending opening night, giving media interviews and being involved in a number of “in conversation” events at screenings throughout the festival.

BIFF organisers are holding out hope that one of the stars of opening night film Judy & Punch, Mia Wasikowska, might make a red carpet appearance but, as yet, they are still waiting to hear from her management.

Her co-star Damon Herriman is not able to attend.

Despite a lot of effort behind the scenes Luhrmann and Martin have also been unavailable to do any media for BIFF.

But as they say … the show must go on and all eyes will be on the red carpet on Thursday night to see just which VIPs and celebs strut the red carpet.