The Tender Hook is an upcoming Australian film noir starring Hugo Weaving, Rose Byrne and Mathew Le Nevez.

The film tells the story of a love triangle set in a stylised version of Sydney’s criminal/boxing underworld in the 1920s. The story is about Iris’ rise to the apex of a love/power triangle that includes her English con man, lover, McHeath, and Art an honest, young boxer. Within the flawed moral landscape each character struggles to establish their sovereignty.

Production

The Tender Hook is the second feature by writer/ director Jonathan Ongilivie (Emulsion, Despondent Divorcee, This Film is A Dog), and will star Hugo Weaving (Little Fish, The Lord of the Rings, The Matrix), Rose Byrne (Marie Antoinette, Casanova, Troy) and Matthew Le Nevez (Emulsion, Peaches).

Producers are Michelle Harrison and John Brousek (Hating Alison Ashley, Sensitive New Age Killer, The Wog Boy).

The crew includes: director of photography, Geoffery Simpson (Romulus, My Father, Under The Tuscan Sun); editor, Ken Sallows (Getting Square, Crackerjack); production designer, Peter Baxter (Lucky Miles, Beneath Clouds); costume designer, Cappi Irreland (Home Songs Stories) and composition of the score by Chis Abrahams from The Necks (The Boys).

The film is being financed by the Film Finance Corporation Australia, and Parkland Pictures (UK), with support from Film Victoria,The Tender Hook is scheduled for release in 2008. Parkland Pictures (UK) will handle International sales, with Icon Films distributing in Australasia.

Cast

{| class="wikitable" |- bgcolor="CCCCCC" ! Actor !! Role |- | Hugo Weaving || McHeath |- | Rose Byrne || Iris |- | Matthew Le Nevez || Art |- | John Batchelor || Ronnie |- | Tyler Coppin || Donnie |- | Pia Miranda || Daisy |- | Luke Carroll || Alby |-