Five years ago talented chef Ronnie (Emily Taheny), met British actor Henry (Eddie Izzard) while catering on an Adelaide film set and they fell madly in love. But once the film wrapped the passionate fling was over, crushing Ronnie’s dreams of a London restaurant career and true love. Now Henry is back in town... But Ronnie is living with Jeff (Luke McKenzie), and Henry has his French lover, Sophie (Vanessa Guide), in tow. And kind-hearted Jeff has asked them to stay. Nothing can go wrong with this scenario, surely? Yeah, right.

Izzard says that he was instantly engaged by the script. “This is a slightly different direction to what I’ve played or been offered before. An indie film in Adelaide, it felt not exactly what you think would be my next move, but it felt like the right move to do. Having just played Edward VII against Judi Dench playing Queen Victoria in Stephen Fry’s film Victoria and Abdul, where ‘Eddie Seven’ had a 46-inch waist, which I put on 12 kilos for, this was now playing Henry who is a film star besotted by himself, intrigued, kind of in love with himself. But he’s a damaged person, and I thought that would be interesting because it’s not necessarily what everyone throws at me. I don't think people would expect me to be in this role.”

Izzard was also enticed by the idea of filming in Adelaide. “I’ve toured Australia four or five times, in all the major cities. Doing things in Australia or New Zealand, they’re like home gigs, it’s like home turf.” Eddie Izzard will be returning to Australia for the first leg of his World Tour in February 2019 – for further information click here.

For director Marion Pilowsky, the uniqueness of the Australian experience in this context was about the contrasting outlooks on life, both superficial and complex, between Australians and Europeans. “On the surface The Flip Side is about visitors from hell, something we can all probably relate to...” says Pilowsky, “...but underneath lurk the ideas of ‘the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence’ and ‘be careful what you wish for’.

The main feature will be followed by a 90-minute programme of short films curated by the New York group Australian Short Film Today who tour it all over the US and Europe. Back by popular demand for the second year running, this year’s eclectic programme of short films includes international award winners, an Academy Award nominee, an animation & a classic from Jane Campion. There will be a public vote for best short film and the curator, Chris Beale, will be in attendance. Chris is also the Chairman of the new Australian film event in NYC, Australian Screen Forum, which debuted in March 2018.