THE PROPOSITION (Australia/UK), a North America premiere, is directed by John Hillcoat and written by long-time collaborator and celebrated musician Nick Cave. Well known producer Chris Brown is one of the Australian based collaborators. Set in the 1880’s, the Australian anti-western tells the story of lawman Captain Stanley (Ray Winstone) who offers to save the younger brother of outlaw Charlie Burns (Guy Pearce) on the condition that Charlie kills his older sibling. Costing about $20 million to make, The Proposition was filmed over 3 months in Winton, which was chosen as the main location because it “it has a certain starkness that conveys a sense of the Outback”. During the filming, temperatures in Winton at times reached 50C, with the actors wearing authentic 3-layer costumes. However the Director believes this made for a much more authentic experience! Starring: John Hurt (Love and Death on Long Island), Danny Huston (Birth, The Aviator), Emily Watson (Hilary & Jackie, Breakin the Waves), Ray Winstone (Sexy Beast), Guy Pearce (Memento) and David Wenham (Getting’ Square, Seachange). Some interesting anecdotal info from the locals… The people of Winton held a street party for the cast and crew at the end of filming! At the street party that Winton held for the cast & crew at the end of filming, all the actors were just milling around having fun and enjoying themselves speaking to all the locals. It was really an amazing sight. The community felt it was a one-of-a-lifetime experience and were very excited by the whole experience. Winton is such a small place that when all the process was going on around them, the community couldn’t help but get involved. Lots of the locals were extras, stand-ins or worked on the crew in one form or another. Every accommodation house in town was fully booked. Most of the empty homes were rented out to the crew too. The stars all stayed at the Boulder Opal Motel, where they were all made to feel at home by the owners June Pripic and her daughter Patrease. Guy Pearce now sends the Pripics’ Christmas cards; he became so close to the family during the shoot. A lot of the locals were lucky enough to be invited to the Boulder Opal close to the end of filming, where they got to talk to the stars. They were having a bit of a wrap party and at around relaxing and sharing stories of filming. The general consensus from the 'Stars' is that they all really enjoyed their filming experience in Winton they were able to relax. A lot of the people here didn't even know who most of them were anyway! You would quite often see Guy Pearce driving his 4WD around. Emily Watson could be spotted walking down the street, wearing a huge brimmed hat to protect her English skin from the harsh sun. The stars mainly drank at the Boulder Opal Motor Inn and the Australian Hotel. On one occasion Ray Winstone was in the Australian Hotel having a few drinks and not one person knew who he was! John Hurt apparently went to one of the local supermarkets and the assistant almost had a heart attack she was so excited when she recognized him! The cast and crew were in Winton for about 3 months and every day there was something else amazing to see, or some gossip to hear. Everyone you talk to in Winton has countless Proposition stories to tell- one ladies husband was Danny Huston's stand in for a while! | 
