By Ashleigh Fielding | posted on January 3, 2019
RECENT York Street addition Little Italy Restaurant and Pizzeria, French café Gourmandise and Co and Little Beach all copped a mention from Hollywood superstars Joel Jackson, Emma Booth and Richard Roxburgh as their favourite spots to visit in Albany in-between filming H is for Happiness.
The Weekender sat down with the trio while they were filming in Albert Hall, adjacent to Wesley Uniting Church on Duke Street, on their second last day in town.
Film crew and actors began filming in and around Albany on November 12 and wrapped up on December 21.
They spent their last day in Albany shooting scenes in a house on Festing Street and had their wrap up party at the Stirling Club.
Jackson, born in Albany, said he was proud to come home after so many years and reminisced on his childhood with The Weekender.
“We lived on Queen Street in Little Grove in this sunken, white house,” he said.
“I went to Little Grove Primary and Mr Bolt was one of my teachers.
“I just remember the oceans, lots of kids everywhere, and being outdoors…and vivid boat memories; I love Muttonbird [Beach].
“I remember the ocean being so big and so scary!”
Jackson said when he had been spotted around town, there were still a few people who remembered him from when he was a little tacker.
Booth, born in Denmark but raised in Perth, said her old family farm had become a vineyard.
She had planned to visit it but ran out of time.
“I think it’s Southern Star now,” she said.
Booth managed to get out to Two Peoples Bay and Little Beach and couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw the scenery.
She popped over to a few eateries in town too and discovered her new favourite foods.
“I just don’t understand how the water is that turquoise!” Booth said.
“Oh, and we’ve been slamming pizzas from Little Italy and that French place? Gourmandise and Co…where has that been all my life?!”
The interview was momentarily disrupted by a quick hug between Booth and fellow cast member, Deborah Mailman.
Roxburgh agreed with Booth that the Great Southern’s coastline was one of a kind.
“Denmark was just glorious,” he said, reflecting on his shoot for Breath.
“And Albany is pretty spectacular.
“I’m staying at Middleton and the boardwalk there is pretty special.
“I love the easy pace here.”
H is for Happiness will now go into post production and premiere during the Melbourne International Film Festival in August.
A crew spokesperson advised people to stay tuned about an Albany premiere and the film release date.
