Melbourne International Film Festival 2017 to Open with Amazon Thriller 'Jungle'

Every time the Melbourne International Film Festival rolls around, it takes Victorian cinephiles on an adventure. In 2017, it's starting with one. This year's fest will kick off with the world premiere of Jungle, a survivalist thriller starring Daniel Radcliffe.

Set in Bolivia, filmed in Queensland and making its debut in Melbourne, Jungle adapts the real-life tale of Yossi Ghinsberg. Radcliffe plays the Israeli adventurer, who trekked into the Amazon's uncharted depths as a 22-year-old in 1981. He set off with discovery on his mind — and with Swiss teacher Marcus Stamm (Joel Jackson), American photographer Kevin Gale (Aussie actor Alex Russell) and Austrian expat named Karl Ruprechter (Thomas Kretschmann) for company — but the group soon found their trip turning into a wilderness nightmare.

If you're thinking, "Didn't I just watch Harry Potter get stranded somewhere remote in a movie?" that's understandable — however, unlike his role in last year's Swiss Army Man, there won't be any farting corpses here. Instead, expect an unnerving journey from Aussie Wolf Creek director Greg McLean, who returns to MIFF 12 years after his breakout horror hit graced the festival's screens.

"McLean's new film is bold, hugely entertaining and a thrilling ride," said MIFF artistic director Michelle Carey. "It's an impressive showcase of Australian and international talent behind and in front of the camera." Jungle joins what's shaping up to be a jam-packed 2017 MIFF lineup, with the festival already revealing first 25 films in advance of their full program launch in July 11.

The Melbourne International Film Festival runs from August 3 to 20, with tickets for opening night on sale now. For more information, visit the MIFF website — and check back on July 11, when the full program is announced.