Everyone has their favourite film scenes. When Dustin Hoffman bangs on the church windows in The Graduate, begging for his happy ending, it tugs at the heartstrings of many. Or perhaps the ending of Gone With the Wind is the perfect scene for you, perfectly staged and presented?
Well, frankly my dear, we don't give a damn.
There's been some chronic under-representation of one of the most beautiful places in the world on film – Surfers Paradise. The City of Gold Coast notes that Australian Bureau of Statistics data has identified key markets for us as China, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Europe among others, but why stop there?
We think Main Beach real estate is among the best in the world – and whenever certain films are remade (which of course they will be), we'd like to offer up Surfers Paradise as a gorgeous shooting location to market the region to the entire world.
The ending of Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
New Zealand can lay claim to 12 hours of engrossing cinema in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, if you include the director's cuts of each of the three films. But nestled in the end of the trilogy is one poignant scene we think would be well-suited to the Surfers Paradise coastline.
After the battles are said and done, Gandalf, Frodo and many of the elves part ways with Samwise Gamgee and others, to head to an elven paradise never to be seen again. Parting is such sweet sorrow, but we think it could be a little sweeter on the eyes. With the golden expanse that is the Surfers Paradise beach, we think a gorgeous glimmer could be added to the departure – and not just from your tears!
Come on Peter Jackson, it's unfair to hog that much cinematic limelight – Surfers Paradise has the majesty to do Lord of the Rings justice!
Safer surfing to close out Point Break
The 1991 cult classic Point Break, directed by Katherine Bigelow, details the friendship and rivalry between Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze's characters as they play cat and mouse with each other. But the plot is secondary to the iconic final scene, in which Reeves allows Swayze to surf a once in a lifetime wave at what is purportedly Bells Beach, Victoria.
It is implied that he passes away, which is a rather dark ending, even if he did die doing what he loved. For a more family friendly and far more beautiful option, we recommend filming the final scene again at Surfers Paradise. It's stunning and exciting, without risk of injury like at the end of this film! Perfect for promoting real estate in Surfers Paradise, as well as introducing a classic to a new generation 25 years later.
The real Spring Breakers
Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers was an attempt to capture the zeitgeist, with former Disney stars partying among the masses at annual spring break celebrations. However, we think the Gold Coast and in particular Surfers Paradise property offers the ideal backdrop for such a film.
According to 2011 Census data, 27.8 per cent of people living in this area are aged between 20 and 29 – the perfect age for extras in a spring break movie. Our fine dining and nightlife capture the imagination, and we think Surfers Paradise more than deserves to be put on the map as a hot spot for everyone, whether they want the nightlife or the quiet high life.
The versatility and beauty of our region is matched by the real estate in Surfers Paradise. From one person apartments to larger homes, they all deserve an international spotlight. Given Hollywood's propensity for remaking films on a whim, they really should be looking in our direction!