Brisbane: Ghost Paradise, the first-ever Malayalam feature film made in
Queensland, will premiere on November 27 at Event Cinemas, Brisbane, and will
subsequently be screened in various theatres across Queensland.
Around twenty-six Australian Malayali artists are making their film debut
through Ghost Paradise.
This is the first Malayalam film from Queensland, featuring newcomers
trained in filmmaking under Joy K. Mathew, prominent Malayalam film actors from
Kerala, and professionals from the Australian film and television industry.
Ghost Paradise is the nineteenth creative work of Joy K. Mathew, who has
been active in the Australian film industry for the past seventeen years and is
known for his socially conscious films. Among his notable works is the
documentary “Salute the Nations,” created with contributors from 75 countries.
The film is being released under the banner of Global Malayalam Cinema,
with the support of the Australian Malayalam Film Industry.
Shot across Kerala and Queensland, the film features Joy K. Mathew,
Kailash, Shivaji Guruvayoor, Sohan Seenulal, Saju Kodiyan, Molly Kannamaly,
Leelakrishnan, Ambika Mohan, Pauly Valsan, Kulappulli Leela, Taso, and Alana in
lead roles.
Debuting through the film are Shamon, Saju, Joby, Jobish, Shaji, Mary,
Indu, Asha, Jayalakshmi, Marshal, Surya, Ramya, Paulose, Tessa, Sreelakshmi,
Sheeja, Thomas, Jose, Shibu, Raji, Jibi, Sajini, Aloshi, Thankam, Jinsi, and
Sathi—a group of twenty-six new performers stepping onto the silver screen for
the first time.
The story, screenplay, dialogues, and direction of Ghost Paradise—a film
rich with humour, uniqueness, and heartfelt human experiences—are by Joy K.
Mathew.
The creative team includes Adam K. Anthony, Sally Moyideen
(cinematography), Elizabeth, Jennifer, Mahesh Cherthala (makeup), Michael
Mathson, Shaji Koonammavu (costumes), Dr. Rekha Rani, Sanju Sukumaran (music),
Geeth Karthika, Balaji (art direction), Shabu Paul (stills), Salim Bava (stunt
choreography), Linson Raphael (editing), Jubin Raj (sound mixing), C. R. Sajay
(colorist), K. J. Mathew Kaniyamparambil (executive producer), Jijo Jose
(finance controller), Claire, Jose Varapuzha (production controllers),
Radhakrishnan Cheleri (production executive), and crews from Motherland Kochi,
Mother Vision, Lens Mark 4 Media Ernakulam (camera), Shibin C. Babu (poster
design), Davis Varghese (production manager), and Nithin Nandakumar
(animation).
Among Australian Malayalis are thousands of individuals with exceptional
artistic and literary talent. However, opportunities to develop or showcase
their abilities remain limited—mostly confined to small platforms during Onam,
Christmas, New Year celebrations, and similar occasions. To overcome this
barrier and provide a stage for talent while creating job opportunities in film
and art, actor-writer-cinematographer-director and world-record holder Joy K.
Mathew envisioned and launched several initiatives.
Over the last three years, he has successfully conducted Queensland’s first
formal film training programme, guiding many individuals into the world of
cinema.
By establishing a Malayalam film environment in Australia similar to that
in Kerala, significant opportunities are being created for artists in both
regions. This model can also serve as an example for Malayali artists living in
other parts of the world.
Joy K. Mathew stated that screening Malayalam films with English subtitles
in Australian theatres—featuring artists from Australia, Kerala, and other
countries—will help strengthen Kerala’s presence in the Australian film
industry.
For the first time in Australian history, a clear and focused effort is
being made to build a Malayalam film culture on foreign soil.
The film-training initiative in Queensland began in 2022 with the aim of
nurturing and supporting Malayali talent living abroad, providing opportunities
in cinema, and offering deeper knowledge of various film disciplines.
Joy K. Mathew is the Chairman of Global Malayalam Cinema, the Chairman of
the Australian Malayalam Film Industry, and the President of AMLA, an
organisation of Australian film professionals. He is also the founder of the
Australian Malayalam Film Industry.
On November 27, at the grand premiere of ‘Ghost Paradise’, prominent
figures from Australia’s film, arts, literature, cultural, theatre, dance, and
spiritual communities will be in attendance.
For More : www.joykmathew.com , Email : dirjoykmathew@gmail.com
