Celeste Barber: Family film is going to ‘fix the world’
Celeste Barber is best known for poking fun of influencers but at heart she’s an actor — and says starring in a little Aussie film with tonnes of heart and family values was an irresistable opportunity and “just want the world needs now”.
Entertainment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
When Celeste Barber watched the final cut of her new film Runt – and only on Saturday at it’s Sydney premiere – she was proud.
Proud because, as a comedian-turned-influencer who made her mark poking fun at influencers, Craig Silvey’s Runt represents what makes her happy as an actor.
“This is the goal for me,” Barber tells Insider.
“Acting is my background, believe it or not, it’s not taking inappropriate, unflattering photos of myself and putting them online – that isn’t what I went to university for,” she laughs.
“Being on set is my favourite thing in the world, and to do it in a brilliant Australian film, to be able to work at home – it’s so exciting that so many things getting made at home now – and to work with this cast to be put on the bill with people like Deb Mailman, Jack Thompson, Gen Lemon, Tom Budge, Matt Day, Jai Courtney – and Old Mate One, Old Mate Two,” she smiles, pointing at fellow Runt co-stars and real life siblings, Lily and Jack LaTorre, who smile back.
“This is absolutely the goal.
“And to do it with such a beautiful film and an Australian story – I’m really, really proud of it.”
The Tweed Heads mother of two is not long back from her 20-city Backup Dancer Tour across the US and Canada.
Then it was New Zealand and back home to make Australia laugh.
From the floors of airports she’d freshen up using her new quick, easy and affordable makeup range Booie Beauty, sharing snippets with her millions of followers, who already can’t get enough.
“I love every single bit of it,” Barber says of all the ways her busy life has gotten busier.
“I only do things that I want to do, and I’m really lucky to be in a position where I can do that, but I am.
“I only do things that I believe in, especially when it comes to work, because it takes me away from my kids and my husband, so it needs to be something that I align with.
“To be able to … oh, I’m going to have a little moment with myself,” she says, getting emotional.
“But to be able to do a film, to be able to do a sold out world tour, to be able to launch a makeup brand is massive.
“And I’m really proud of myself, to figure out how I want to do it and make it work.”
Proud she is. As proud, perhaps, as she is exhausted.
“I’m really, really tired,” she admits.
“Probably because I had too many wines last night and had to get up early, that’s why I’m tired.
“No, it’s not,” she tells Lily and Jack, still by her side.
“It’s because I went to bed early and I woke up early, went to the gym and then volunteered at a charity,” she jokes.
“But this film is really a film that the world needs – now.
“It’s full of heart.
“It’s funny, it’s about family values, it’s about everything that’s important, and I’m really excited that our film is finally coming out.
“It’s going to fix the world – I’m just going to say it – it’s going to fix the world.”
Now open in cinemas nationally, Silvey’s beloved best-selling novel leaps on to the big screen, telling the heartfelt and hilarious tale of 11-year-old Annie Shearer – beautifully portrayed by Lily – and her best friend Runt, an adopted stray dog with remarkable abilities. In a bid to save their family farm, the two aspire to compete in the Agility Course Championships at the prestigious Krumpets Dog Show in London, while overcoming hurdles, obstacles and, of course, villains. Jack plays Lily’s on screen brother, Max, and Barber their mum Susie – and the Queensland youngsters loved it as much as their new friend Celeste did.
“We always knew how to bounce off each other, we always knew what the other person was thinking, what they wanted to do with the scene,” Jack explains.
“It was just really easy and rewarding.”
“It just felt amazing to be able to be this character,” agrees Lily.
“Just being able to work with amazing cast and crew, and the director, John Sheedy, was great. He helped me and Jack and Celeste, and all the actors, through every single step by step, and it was amazing.”
The pair may be pint-sized, but they’re no strangers to the screen. Jack has starred in Nine Perfect Strangers, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and Little Monsters. Lily stunned audiences in Run Rabbit Run, as well as The Clearing and Rebuilding.
“Looking back, it’s really just – wow – we’ve already been in movies and TV shows. It’s actually a bit mind blowing, when you think about it,” Jack continues.
“Even getting sent a picture of the Runt poster on the side of the bus in Melbourne –
it’s exciting.”
“We’re on a bus guys,” squeals Barber.
All three of them are dog people, which made the experience even more enjoyable. And, in real life, Barber is definitely not a cook, much like her character Susie.
“I think everyone on set were such dog people, so it was an easy fit. I don’t know if I’m a llama person – there were some llamas on set and that’s a whole other vibe,” Barber jokes.
“And I am absolutely not a cook.
“When we read the book with my kids, the lovely Susie Shearer – and I love playing this character – she’s so feminine and so motherly and kind – and she is a woeful cook.
“Like, it’s not an acquired taste – she’s so bad.
“And when we read the book, my son said to me, ‘oh yeah Mum, you’ll fit right in’, because I’m not a good cook either, so it’s a bit more of a reality show for me. It wasn’t a stretch.”
The feel-good film also delicately deals with the ups and downs of Aussie weather, and the impact on struggling farmers.
“It’s what we go through here in Australia, with crazy weather changes like droughts or fires or floods,” Barber says.
“And I think it was a really beautiful way to look into that with heart.
“Craig Silvey has written such a beautiful book, and now made the film. Those family values of when you all band together and focus on what matters – which is us – then anything can happen, and I think that’s really important, especially now.
“These stories that we need to be telling about what is valuable and what you can achieve when you focus on core family values – it was really beautiful film to make.”
Do you have a story for The Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email tips@dailytelegraph.com.au
Delta Goodrem: ‘I cried a lot’
In an emotional new interview, Delta Goodrem has given a candid insight into the pressure she faced releasing her second album, amid her cancer battle.
Why we are so ‘lucky, lucky, lucky’ to have Kylie
While it’s okay to be excited about international pop stars, we should realise how lucky, lucky, lucky we are to have Kylie Minogue - our own record-breaking ‘Princess of Pop’, writes Karlie Rutherford.