Heath Ledger's Family First to see Dark Knight

Editorial

At the risk of massive understatement, The Dark Knight is one of this year's most anticipated films. With the untimely death of Heath Ledger also looming over this soon-to-be blockbuster, the term “bittersweet” comes to mind. While Ledger's family will be attending the film's world premiere in New York next week and celebrating the actor's achievements, they will also be seeing Ledger in perhaps one of his most haunting acting roles - one which he himself said took everything out of him.

Four days before The Dark Knight premieres on distant shores, close colleagues and friends of Ledger, as well as other blessed individuals, will attend the film's first official Australian screening. Ledger's I'm Not There co-star Cate Blanchett, as well as Candy director Neil Armfield, are expected to attend the preview at Fox Studios on Thursday night.

Following the debut of Ledger's Joker on his homesoil, distributor Roadshow Films will also stage several invitation-only advanced screenings, including a wide-screen version at the IMAX cinema in Darling Harbour on Monday night. Ooh. But if you're not on the guest list, cheer up. MySpace is holding a competition in which Australian film fans can win the chance to see the first public screening of The Dark Knight on Monday night, a whole two days before its general Australian release.