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Went Up the Hill

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Went Up the Hill
Directed bySamuel Van Grinsven
Written bySamuel Van Grinsven
Jory Anast
Produced byKristina Ceyton
Samantha Jennings
Vicky Pope
StarringDacre Montgomery
Vicky Krieps
CinematographyTyson Perkins
Edited byDany Cooper
Music byHanan Townshend
Production
companies
POP Film
Causeway Films
Distributed byVendetta Films
Release date
  • 5 September 2024 (2024-09-05) (TIFF)
Running time
100 minutes
CountriesAustralia
New Zealand
LanguageEnglish

Went Up the Hill is a 2024 Australian–New Zealand thriller drama film directed by Samuel Van Grinsven.[1] The film stars Dacre Montgomery as Jack, a man returning to his native New Zealand to attend the funeral of his birth mother, from whom he was taken away and placed into foster care; he meets his mother's widow Jill (Vicky Krieps) for the first time, only for his mother to return in spirit form and inhabit both Jack and Jill, using each of their bodies to speak to the other.[2]

The cast also includes Sarah Peirse, Arlo Green and Finlay Grey.

Production

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The film's casting was first announced in fall 2022,[3] with the film shooting on location in New Zealand in 2023.[2]

The film's closing theme song, "Jill", was written and performed by Krieps.[4] According to Krieps, she has maintained a practice for a number of years of writing a song about each film character she played, as a way to process and "exorcise" her emotions about the role, but "Jill" marked the first time that the filmmaker had actually placed her song in the movie.[4]

Distribution

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The film premiered as a special presentation at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.[5] Following the screening, Krieps performed the song "Jill" live in the theatre, accompanied by New Zealand singer-songwriter Merk.[4]

Critical response

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Caryn James of The Hollywood Reporter favourably reviewed the film, writing that "Van Grinsven’s aesthetic choices mirror the mood of the story, and the eeriness comes as much from his technique as it does from any plot turn. At the start, the sound effects by Robert Mackenzie might be wind but also might double as a moan or howl. Especially at the beginning, the cinematographer, Tyson Perkins, plays with focus. The foreground and background shift at times to create a sense of disorientation. And Sherree Philips’ production design is understated and effective."[6]

References

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  1. ^ Sean Slatter, "Samuel Van Grinsven’s ‘Went Up the Hill’ to join Rebel Wilson’s ‘The Deb’ at TIFF". IF Magazine, 23 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b Jesse Whittock, "‘Went Up The Hill’: Ghost Story Starring Vicky Krieps & Dacre Montgomery Wraps Production, Releases First Look Image — AFM". Deadline Hollywood, 24 October 2023.
  3. ^ Andreas Wiseman, "‘Corsage’ Star Vicky Krieps & ‘Stranger Things’ Star Dacre Montgomery To Lead Ghost Story ‘Went Up The Hill’ For ‘The Babadook’ & ‘The Nightingale’ Outfit — AFM". Deadline Hollywood, 19 October 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Scott Roxborough, "Vicky Krieps Sings ‘Went Up the Hill’ Closing Song Live at TIFF Premiere". The Hollywood Reporter, 5 September 2024.
  5. ^ Jeremy Kay, "Toronto film festival adds Angelina Jolie, Mike Leigh, Edward Burns, David Mackenzie titles". Screen Daily, 22 July 2024.
  6. ^ Caryn James, "‘Went Up the Hill’ Review: Vicky Krieps and Dacre Montgomery Are Dazzling in a Poetic Ghost Story". The Hollywood Reporter, 5 September 2024.
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