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Cairnes brothers, Mclean thriller secure funding

Scare Campaign, a horror movie from the brothers Colin and Cameron Cairnes, and Jungle, Greg Mclean’s true-life drama set in the Bolivian jungle, have secured funding from Screen Australia.

The Cairnes’ brothers follow-up to 100 Bloody Acres focuses on a popular prank TV show, Scare Campaign, which has entertained audiences for five years with its mix of old school scares and hidden camera fun.

Entering the online era the producers find themselves up against a new hard-edged web series which makes their show look rather quaint. It's time to up the ante, but will the team go too far this time, and are they about to prank the wrong guy?"

No cast is attached yet. The plan is to shoot in March. The producer, Cyan Films’ Julie Ryan, signed a deal with Paris-based sales agent Films Distribution at the MIFF 37ºSouth Market.

Jonathan Page’s Bonsai Films will handle theatrical distribution in Australia, with Madman Entertainment looking after home entertainment.

Ryan tells IF, “Like The Mule, we’re looking at having event screenings as a promotional tool for VoD and DVD. If we can get permission we’d also like to have 100 Bloody Acres and Scare Campaign as a double bill at a drive-in.”

As previously announced, Jungle will star Kevin Bacon, re-reteaming with Mclean after the US supernatural thriller 6 Miranda Drive.

Scripted by Justin Monjo (Rush, Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of INXS, The Code), Jungle is based on Yossi Ghinsberg’s memoir Lost in the Jungle, the true story of the young adventurer’s harrowing experiences with two fellow backpackers in Bolivia.

Bacon will play Karl, the Austrian guide who leads Ghinsberg and companions into the heart of the jungle, described by Mclean as a “complex, dangerous and alluring character."

The producers are Dana Lustig and Arclight’s Gary Hamilton, Mike Gabrawy and Mark Lazarus. Shooting is set to begin early next year on location in Australia and Colombia. Umbrella is the Australian distributor,