By ALESHA CAPONE
TWENTY-FIVE years ago a spotlight was shone on Spotswood when a film set in the suburb hit the silver screen.
‘Spotswood’ – which starred Anthony Hopkins, Ben Mendelsohn, Toni Collette and Russell Crowe – was filmed at locations including the Spotswood Pumping Station and Scienceworks Museum.
The film was about an ‘efficiency expert’ sent to a Spotswood moccasin factory named Balls, where he eventually helps to save the business instead of cutting jobs.
‘Spotswood’ will be shown at the Spotswood Primary School on 1 December as part of a festival celebrating its 25th anniversary.
The Minister of St Marks Anglican Church in Spotswood, Gordon Preece, said he and some friends came up with the idea for the festival.
“We decided it was something worth celebrating as not every community has a film made about it,” he said.
“Part of the reason we liked the film is that it was about the working class, a group which has traditionally made up the residents of Spotswood.
“As the area gentrifies we don’t want to lose them from the area.
“It’s about trying to keep that heritage of local community alive, which the film kind of captures.
“It wasn’t just a razzmatazz Hollywood-feel to it, it had an Australian and western suburbs feel to it.
“It did have a good effect on the careers of the Australian actors in it and lends a bit of celebrity glow to the local community, I suppose.”
Mr Preece said the Westgate Baptist Church in Yarraville, sports clubs and schools have also been helping to organise the festival.
The Spotswood 25th Anniversary of the Film and Festival will feature a farmers market, music, children’s activities and food stalls, beginning at 9am with the film showing at 3.30pm.
