It has been an exciting few months for Hounds of Love, a Western Australian psychological indie thriller, with high accolades received at some of the world’s esteemed film festivals.

The film makes its North American premiere at SXSW in the narrative spotlight section, one of 11 north American premieres at this festival which is known for unearthing the next crop of creative talent.

Hounds of Love made its world premiere as the first Western Australian feature film to be screened in the Venice days section of the Venice Film Festival. Rising Australian talent Ashleigh Cummings (Puberty Blues, Gallipoli, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries) received the Fedeora for Best Actress.

Soon after it screened at the Busan International Film Festival, Mumbai International Film Festival and Brussels International Film Festival where Ben Young took home the Best Director award and Emma Booth (Glitch, Gods of Eygpt) won Best Actress. Next up it will screen at Dublin International Film Festival and Glasgow Fright Fest.

Hounds of Love is Western Australian writer/director Ben Young’s feature film debut after his short films have screened at more than 35 Australian and international festivals. Western Australian Melissa Kelly of Factor 30 Films produced the film. It was developed, filmed and post-produced in Western Australia.

“It’s a striking debut film for Ben and festival audiences around the globe are responding so strongly to it. It’s emotionally charged and stays with you long after you’ve left the cinema,” said Kelly.

The film examines themes of psychological control and domestic violence; themes that transcend cultures around the world making it relatable with international audiences. Young stayed committed to the performance piece, providing a strong sense of unease and discomfort with the violence remaining off screen.

“Despite the subject matter the film ultimately portrays the power of love and how it can either destroy us, or help us live to see another day,” said young.

Young’s career is on a fast-upwards trajectory, with the screening at Venice culminating in signing with UTA. He is set to direct Extinction, produced by Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman of Mandeville. Executive producers are Alexander Young of Mandeville along with Nathan Kahane and Joe Drake of Good Universe.

The Hollywood buzz over Young and Hounds of Love builds with whispers that the film is the next Animal Kingdom and the director being compared with the likes of David Lynch and Justin Kerzel. Numerous publications are following his achievements with variety writing that the film “is a calling card not soon forgotten.”

Theatrical sales for the UK, US and France have been secured.

Watch the Hounds of Love trailer below.

Header image: Ben Young and Emma Booth at Venice Days.  Credit: Venice Days

Body image: Vicki (Ashleigh Cummings) in Hounds of Love.  Credit: Factor 30 Films, Pty Ltd.