Screen Australia today announced a $5.4 million investment in six feature films, including director Kim Farrant’s Strangerland, which will star Nicole Kidman, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving. The other films include Backyard Ashes, Women He’s Undressed, Force of Destiny, Last Cab to Darwin and Maya the Bee Movie.
“Kim Farrant’s ‘Strangerland’ has an incredible cast including Nicole Kidman, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving, a strong creative vision and massive A-list festival potential,” said Screen Australia’s Chief Executive Ruth Harley.
Strangerland is a mystery drama about a couple whose lives unravel after their two teenage children go missing in the harsh Australian desert. The film is written by Fiona Seres and Michael Kinirons and is produced by Naomi Wenck and Macdara Kelleher, with executive producers Christopher Woodrow, Molly Conners, Maria Cestone, Sarah E. Johnson, Andrew Mackie and Richard Payten.
As far as the other five films, Mark Grentell will make his feature film directorial debut with the warm-hearted comedy drama Backyard Ashes, about an Australian and Englishman who fight out their rivalry in the cricketing challenge of the century. The film is written and produced by Mark Grentell and Peter Cox, with producer Anne Robinson also on board.
Gillian Armstrong will direct Women He’s Undressed, a behind-the-scenes Hollywood theatrical documentary about the legendary Australian costume designer Orry-Kelly. The film is written by Katherine Thomson and is produced by Damien Parer with executive producer Michael Wrenn.
From iconic auteur producer/writer/director Paul Cox comes Force of Destiny, a highly emotional love story, also produced by Mark Patterson and Maggie Miles.
Last Cab to Darwin is a road movie drama to be directed by Jeremy Sims, about a man who is told he doesn’t have long to live and embarks on an epic drive from Broken Hill to Darwin to die on his own terms. The script is based on Sims and Reg Cribb’s acclaimed stage play, which they have adapted for the screen. Last Cab to Darwin is produced by Greg Duffy, Lisa Duff and Jeremy Sims, with executive producers Ned Lander, Edward Simpson, Ian Darling, Mark Nelson, Andrew Myer and Jon Adgemis.
Also, Maya the Bee Movie is a 3D animated film for young children, based on the acclaimed books and animated television series. The German/Australian co-production is directed by Alexs Stadermann, with writer Fin Edquist, producer Barbara Stephen, and executive producer Jim Ballantine.
