FIlming has begun on a new ABC1 telemovie about Dr Bert Wainer and two extraordinary women who exposed the deadly impact that Melbourne's anti-abortion laws had in the 1960s.
Dangerous Remedy is currently shooting in Melbourne and stars Jeremy Sims (Corridors of Power, Fireflies, Underbelly Files), William McInnes (Curtin, East West 101, Look Both Ways), Susie Porter (East West 101, Sisters of War, East of Everything), Maeve Dermody (Paper Giants, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Beautiful Kate), Mark Leonard Winter (Balibo, Van Dieman’s Land, Blame), as well as Gary Sweet and Caroline Craig.
The political-thriller is set in 1969 and follows Bert Wainer, a local GP, who embarks on a campaign for law reform after the death of a young woman. He discovers an illegal abortion ring protected by corrupt homicide detectives, allowing the medical establishment, media and politicians to ignore the impact of anti-abortion laws.
ABC TV head of fiction, Carole Sklan, said: “Dangerous Remedy reveals a truly courageous man and his heroic efforts to expose police corruption and protect vulnerable women from men who profited from their suffering.”
Producer, Ned Lander, said: “This is a story of the remarkable Dr Bertram Wainer – a passionate and flawed man whose campaign challenged and changed our society.”
Dangerous Remedy, inspired by Dr Bertram Wainer's 1972 book It Isn't Nice, is written by Kris Wyld (East West 101, Wildside) and directed by Ken Cameron (Underbelly, Wildside, Brides of Christ).
Contact this reporter at bswift@www.if.com.au or on Twitter at @bcswift.