In My Father's Den (2004)

Director: Brad McGann Starring: Miranda Otto, Matthew Chamberlain, Matthew MacFadyen Genres: Drama, Australian Origin: New Zealand Certificate: MA Languages: English Running Time: 122 min

synopsis

Due to the death of his father, prize-winning war photographer Paul Prior (Matthew MacFadyen) has returned to his remote New Zealand hometown, battle-scarred and world-weary. When his brother Andrew (Colin Moy) – whom he hasn't seen in 16 years – convinces him to stay and help with the sale of their father's cottage, Paul reluctantly agrees. Childhood memories are brought back when he stumbles across an old den tucked away in the equipment shed. His father Jeff (Matthew Chamberlain) used it as a hideaway when he wanted to indulge in wine, literature and free thinking. Paul sets about clearing it up when he discovers 16-year-old Celia (Emily Barclay), who has been using the den as a private haven to write her stories and fuel her dream of living in Europe. Paul curtly sends her away, but when he gets a teaching job at the local high school, finds that she is one of his students. Intrigued by her passion for writing and thirst for experience of the world, Paul befriends Celia, but their relationship is frowned upon by Andrew - and Celia's mother Jackie (Jodie Rimmer). Though forbidden to see each other, the pair continue to meet … until Celia goes missing. With Paul the last to see her, suspicions within the town soon focus on him - forcing him to confront the family tragedy and betrayal that he ran from as a youth.