Steve McCallum’s feature ‘1%’ opens this week with special Q&A screening this Thursday at Luna

Penguin Empire director Stephen McCallum’s debut feature film, 1%, opens nationally this week – and will be launched with a special Q&A session this Thursday at Luna Leederville at 6:30pm.

The film follows the vice president of an outlaw motorcycle gang, who betrays his president to save his brother, resulting in civil war.

Shot entirely in Western Australia, the film serves up a gritty exploration of brotherhood and betrayal that takes its cues from Shakespeare. 

Scripted by and co-starring Matt Nable, it’s as vibrant as it is violent, offering a powerhouse showcase of local talent complete with a film-stealing turn by rising star Abbey Lee.

The national release is the latest phase of the film’s acclaimed run. Having debuted at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival, the film went on to screen at the London BFI and sold to prestigious US distributor A24, well known for indie hits like Ex Machina, Lady Bird, Moonlight, Hereditary, The Witch and Room.

FilmInk described the film as “a lean, mean, well-oiled genre machine … a gloriously rendered and assured debut feature” and this month’s Empire magazine awarded the film 4 stars, praising McCallum’s tight direction and the film’s impressive cast.

Tickets to the Q&A this Thursday can be purchased from the Luna Website.

The film was produced by Jamie Hilton and Michael Pontin of See Pictures and Ticket to Ride.