They say returning home is never the same – but a new Brisbane-made romantic comedy is turning that notion on its head.
Filming has begun on All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane, the spiritual sequel to the 2007 cult classic All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane.
Helmed by the original creative duo, director Louise Alston and writer Stephen Vagg, the film explores what happens when the ones who left finally come back.
The story follows Cris (Nelle Lee), a woman who returns home to Brisbane after ten years in London and a fresh breakup.
She soon finds herself working with ex-boyfriend Scooter (Andrew Steel), who never left Brisbane, is now married, and has a child.
Cue awkward conversations and unexpected feelings.
Mr Vagg said the inspiration for the film came unexpectedly.
“Covid happened and I was living in Los Angeles when it hit, and we came back to Brisbane until it ‘blew over’ – which took a while,” he said.
“I noticed all my friends who had left Brisbane had returned. Every single one.”
While the first film was about people in their twenties figuring things out, this one tackles the deeper questions of your thirties.
“It’s a time where really big decisions are made – who to marry, whether to have kids, what your career is, where you’ll settle,” Mr Vagg said.
“Our lead Cris thinks she knows, but everything gets thrown into the air.”
Logan-raised actor Kym Jackson stars as Michelle, Cris’ no-filter best friend who has well and truly settled into suburban life.
Miss Jackson said the role struck a chord.
“Everyone in this film feels like someone you know, especially if you grew up in Brisbane,” she said.
“Michelle talks a big game about her wild youth, but Cris keeps reminding us she might be exaggerating just a tad.”
Miss Jackson, who grew up in Daisy Hill, said filming on the Brisbane River with the recent rain added a bit of movie magic.
“It matched the tone of the film perfectly. Light blues, silver and greys. It just worked,” she said.
“Then during one take, a CityCat went past right on cue. That shot’s going in for sure. You see a CityCat and you know it’s Brisbane.”
For Miss Jackson, the project was more than just a role, it was a chance to reconnect with her hometown.
“I come back to Australia every year for six weeks over Christmas, and my friends from John Paul College still feel like siblings,” she said.
“There’s a bond with childhood friends that never really goes away.”
