Windcatcher movie big break for Lennox
By Tim Howard
While still at primary school Bundjalung boy Lennox Monaghan is about to be seen in a starring role in a breakthrough feature movie on Aussie streaming service Stan, which screens nexts month.
Monaghan, who was captain of Grafton Primary School during the shooting of the movie last year, plays the character Percy Boy in Stan’s first venture into movie making, Windcatcher.
Starring alongside Australian pop music and film icons Jessica Mauboy (The Sapphires) and Pia (Looking for Alibrandi), Lennox has won a top role in the production.
He plays the role of Percy Boy, who lives in the small country town, Windcatcher.
When newcomer Keithy Cobb follows strikes up an unlikely friendship with Percy Boy and the spirited Daisy Hawkins, they come up with a plan to best a group of grade five bullies at the school sports day.
But as Percy Boy trains with the help of his mates, he discovers a supernatural ability to see lost souls – a gift passed down from his grandfather.
Percy Boy must overcome his fears, prove his resilience and become a force to be reckoned with.
While he was shooting in Melbourne, Lennox kept in contact with his mates at school.
This is a letter he sent to them, which the school published in its October 2023 newsletter.
“Hey GPS.
“I’m having the best time in Narrm (Melbourne). I shoot five days a week for nine hours a day.
“They are long days but so exciting and something new every day. I have learnt so much from amazing people like Jessica Mauboy and Kelton Pell.
Lennox Monaghan has won a starring role in the new Australian movie Windcatcher which screens on Stan from March 28.
“I only have two weeks left of shooting and I get to do my stunt in the studio this week and I’m so excited.
“Maisie and mum also got to be in the movie, they have been on set with me every day and have been having the best time.
“I’ve had some amazing experience off set too.
“The deadly Uncle William Barton came to the house to play the yidaki with me, You may have seen him open the AFL grand final.
“Melbourne is really cold and I’m missing the Bundjalung heat and swimming in the river.
“Thanks so much for all the lovely messages and support.
“Home soon to see you all before the next adventure begins.”
The Clarence Valley has warmed to the news one of its own will play a lead role in the film.
Many in the community took to social media to show their appreciation and call for a public screening of the movie for Clarence residents.
Community figures have indicated there are plans afoot to organise it and discussions are happening with the Monaghan family.
Windcather is directed by Tanith Glynn-Maloney, from a screenplay by Boyd Quakawoot, the film has been branded as a Stan Original and will play on the Australia-only streamer from March 28.
Mauboy, who is an iconic figure in Australian entertainment has largely been seen in music and TV roles – Australian Idol, The Voice and The Project – over the last decade.
In Windcatcher, she is Aunty Cressida, while Lisa Maza (Wentworth) plays Aunty Prue.
Other roles go to Max Turner (F.A.N.G (From A Nearby Galaxy)), Coco Greenstone (I Am Woman), Kelton Pell (Mystery Road: Origin), Ngali Shaw (The Twelve) and Jessica McNamee (Mortal Kombat).
Windcatcher is Stan’s first co-commission with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.
It was developed with the support of the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland.
It has major production investment from Screen Australia, ACTF, the Post Lounge, Stan and is made in association with VicScreen.
“Windcatcher” hails from Unless Pictures and Every Cloud Productions (an Eternus Group company) and is produced by Meg O’Connell (Upright S2, Retrograde) and Drew Grove (Stan Original Films A Sunburnt Christmas and Christmas Ransom).
It was executive produced by Bernadette O’Mahony for ACTF, and Cailah Scobie, Donna Chang, and Rachel Okine for Stan.
The Australian Children’s Television Foundation will handle worldwide distribution.
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