Film star Rachel Griffiths talks new film and past Gold Coast life

Basking in the sun at a small cafe with a green smoothie in hand — anyone could have thought film star Rachel Griffiths was taken back to her childhood.

BASKING in the sun at a small cafe with a green smoothie in hand — anyone could have thought Rachel Griffiths was taken back to her childhood.

The Australian actress and director, 51, said if she’s here for work, she may as well make the most of it.

“I’m just so happy to be in the sun,” she said.

“I spent a lot of time here (at Mermaid Beach). I lived here until I was five. As a kid we spent every holiday here.”

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Australian film star Rachel Griffiths at Mermaid Beach. Picture: Jerad Williams

Mrs Griffiths, who is well known for starring in American drama series Six Feet Under and iconic Coast film Muriel’s Wedding (1994), paid the city a visit to promote her latest project.

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After decades of acting, she has produced and directed her first film Ride Like A Girl.

Last night she met with fans at the Gold Coast’s public screening at Pacific Fair.

Ride Like A Girl is the story about Michelle Payne who left school at 15 to become a jockey and went on to be the first female win Melbourne Cup in 2015.

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Jockey Michelle Payne with Rachel Griffiths. (AAP Image/Scott Barbour)

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“It was a massive story, so it was a lot to take on for a first timer,” Mrs Griffiths said.

“The family is incredible. (Michelle’s dad) Paddy Payne raised 10 kids. They are a really battler, catholic family from the bush.

“I was just so inspired by the story. I reckon they will play it the night of Melbourne Cup every year for the next 20 years.

“I think it’s really going to change how people view what people are capable of.”

This week it was announced the Gold Coast had secured Screen Forever, which is one of the largest congregations of screen industry professionals in the Southern Hemisphere and sees more than 850 delegates attend annually, for the next three years.

Rachel Griffiths. Picture: Jerad Williams

Although Mrs Griffiths said she will be concentrating her time making children’s TV shows, said she would “definitely” consider the city as a filming location in the future.

Her latest role was in the ABC six-part series Total Control which airs next month.

Mrs Griffiths is married to artist Andrew Taylor and have three children together.

She left Australia at the end of 1994 and returned in 2012.