Payne played by actress Teresa Palmer (Warm Bodies and Hacksaw Ridge) was the youngest of ten children born to father Paddy (Sam Neill) who ran a horse farm in Central Victoria. Her mother died in an auto accident when she was six months old and seven of her siblings also raced horses.

She had to overcome many injuries and the gender bias inherent in such a male dominated sport to rise to the top of her field. The film dramatises these circumstances with a somewhat light touch. This keeps the film from becoming too heavy and slowing down its narrative.

Griffiths and Cinematographer Martin McGrath do a good job of making a barbaric sport look majestic and both handle the racing scenes with skill. Even for those with no interest in the sport of horse racing, there is an accessibility. The story is presented as a feel good piece and the spirited finish is very emotionally satisfying.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/transmissionfilms

RIDE LIKE A GIRL will be released in cinemas across Australia on 26th September 2019 by Transmission Films and it stars Teresa Palmer as Michelle Payne alongside Sam Neill, Sullivan Stapleton, Magda Szubanski and Stevie Payne.
As a little girl, Michelle Payne (Teresa Palmer) dreams of the impossible: winning the Melbourne Cup — horse-racing’s toughest two-mile race.

The youngest of 10 children, Michelle is raised by single father Paddy (Sam Neill). She leaves school at 15 to become a jockey and after early failures she finds her feet, but a family tragedy, followed by her own near fatal horse fall all but ends the dream. But with the love of her dad and her brother Stevie, Michelle will not give up. Against all the medical advice, and the protests of her siblings, she rides on, and meets the Prince of Penzance. Together they overcome impossible odds for a shot at the dream: a ride in the 2015 Melbourne Cup, at odds of 100 to 1. The rest is history.

Tickets for the Q&A screenings are now on sale here.

Queensland Screenings

Brisbane with Rachel Griffiths & Michelle Payne
Wednesday 11th September – Palace Barracks
Wednesday 11th September – Event Cinemas Chermside

Regional Screenings with Rachel Griffiths
BCC Cinemas Toowoomba Strand
Monday 16 September
Film starts 6:30pm | Q&A begins after the film with Director Rachel Griffiths

Event Cinemas Townsville City
Tuesday 17 September
Film starts 6:30pm | Q&A begins after the film with Director Rachel Griffiths

Event Cinemas Cairns Central
Wednesday 18 September
Film starts 6:30pm | Q&A begins after the film with Director Rachel Griffiths
Special Chicks at the Flicks session

Event Cinemas Kawana
Thursday 19 September
Q&A with Director Rachel Griffiths commences at 6:30pm | Film commences at 6:50pm

Event Cinemas Pacific Fair
Friday 20 September
Film starts 6:30pm | Q&A begins after the film with Director Rachel Griffiths

www.ridelikeagirlmovie.com.au

Rachel Griffiths and Michelle Payne will be joined at the premiere by the Payne family (including Stevie Payne, who plays himself in the film), as well as other members of the cast.

RIDE LIKE A GIRL will be released in cinemas across Australia on 26th September 2019 by Transmission Films and it stars Teresa Palmer as Michelle Payne alongside Sam Neill, Sullivan Stapleton, Magda Szubanski and Stevie Payne.

Limited tickets for the Premiere at Village Jam Factory are on sale at www.villagecinemas.com.au

Transmission Films is also delighted to announce additional screenings of the film, with special appearances by Rachel Griffiths and Michelle Payne:

SYDNEY
Monday 9th September – Cremorne Orpheum – Gala Screening presented by Country Road
Monday 9th September – Event George Street
Tuesday 10th September – Palace Norton Street
Tuesday 10th September – Randwick Ritz

BRISBANE
Wednesday 11th September – Palace Barracks
Wednesday 11th September – Event Cinemas Chermside

PERTH
Thursday 12th September – Event Innaloo
Thursday 12th September – Grand Warwick
Thursday 12th September – Luna Leederville
Friday 13th September – Palace Raine Square
www.ridelikeagirlmovie.com.au

She leaves school at 15 to become a jockey and after early failures she finds her feet, but a family tragedy, followed by her own near fatal horse fall all but ends the dream. But with the love of her dad and her brother Stevie, Michelle will not give up.

Against all the medical advice, and the protests of her siblings, she rides on, and meets the Prince of Penzance. Together they overcome impossible odds for a shot at the dream: a ride in the 2015 Melbourne Cup, at odds of 100 to 1. The rest is history.

Directed by Rachel Griffiths, Ride Like A Girl is the incredible true story of Michelle Payne.
Ride Like A Girl is in cinemas September 26!

www.facebook.com/transmissionfilms