Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth face controversy on NSW’s South Coast
Kiama and Berry, on NSW’s South Coast, have seen an influx of A-list movie stars in the area including Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth, as the celebrities shoot scenes for an upcoming movie.
But, the stars have received a frosty reception from Kiama MP Gareth Ward, who vented his frustrations about the celebs being allowed to travel freely in the region despite widespread public health orders and nearby Shellharbour being in lockdown.
“This makes a total mockery of the public health orders,” he wrote on Twitter.
“People can’t see family and friends, funerals are limited to 10, no cases in Shellharbour but still locked down, but apparently A-listers producing movies is essential.”
The actors and crew filming Poker Face, which Crowe is directing and starring in, are believed to be following COVID-safe protocols.
Though some have raised concerns about the filming, others are finding it a welcome distraction.
Cathy Law, the editor of Kiama’s community newspaper, The Bugle, said she had been hearing rumours of Crowe and the crew’s arrival in town for a while.
“We heard a couple of rumours yesterday,” Ms Law said, which Russell confirmed on Twitter.
“I just think it’s fantastic for Kiama tourism now and into the future.
Destination Kiama chair Mat Brown agreed, saying the filming had created a lot of excitement and came as a welcome distraction during the pandemic.
“It’s not the first time we’ve had blockbusters filmed here,” Councillor Brown said.
“There’s a lot of interest around the place from visitors and locals.
“Once they are released, they are really important for tourism.”
Poker Face is a psychological thriller that centres around a billionaire (Crowe) who gathers his friends to his Miami mansion for a high stakes game of poker.
Scenes will also be filmed at Sydney’s Fox Studios and the movie is set to be released in America in 2022.
Image: Liam Hemsworth / Instagram, Russell Crowe / Instagram