Robert Sarkies' controversial new feature film Out of the Blue premiered this week (September 11) to an emotional reception and capacity audience at the Toronto International Film Festival. Out of the Blue is a gripping drama which reveals a day in the life of the small seaside community of Aramoana when longtime resident David Gray runs amok, with tragic results. Robert Sarkies' controversial new feature film Out of the Blue premiered this week (September 11) to an emotional reception and capacity audience at the Toronto International Film Festival. Out of the Blue is a gripping drama which reveals a day in the life of the small seaside community of Aramoana when longtime resident David Gray runs amok, with tragic results.In the face of this, a number of heroic feats of bravery and survival unfold.

The film stars Karl Urban and Matt Sunderland and was shot on location earlier this year in the South Island's Otago region. With permission from the community, some scenes were also filmed at Aramoana itself.

For director Sarkies, the Toronto Premiere was the chance to tell this New Zealand story on an international stage.

"It was fantastic to play in Toronto in front of a discerning audience who were clearly moved by what they saw. There was a Q&A session at the end of the film, and the audience was fascinated to learn more about the real events".

"The response really was incredible, and it was very gratifying to receive a long and sustained round of applause from an overseas audience".

Sarkies introduced the film to the audience along with producers Steven O'Meagher and Tim White.

Out Of The Blue will be released in New Zealand on 12 October 2006. The local distributor is Dendy Films NZ who also released the box office smash hit The World's Fastest Indian.