Travis Fimmel.
Saban Films has snapped up North American rights to Kriv Stenders’ Vietnam War movie Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan.
Travis Fimmel stars as Major Harry Smith, who led a largely inexperienced company of 108 men who held off about 2,500 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese soldiers for three and a half hours in torrential rain on August 18 1966.
The drama scripted by Stuart Beattie, based on a story by James Nicholas, Jack Brislee, Karel Segers and Paul Sullivan, co-stars Luke Bracey, Richard Roxburgh, Daniel Webber, Nicholas Hamilton, Aaron Glenane, Anthony Hayes and Stephen Peacocke.
Transmission Films will launch the film produced by Red Dune Productions’ Martin Walsh and Deeper Water Films’ John and Michael Schwarz on August 8. It will premiere at the Sydney Film Festival.
The key crew includes DOP Ben Nott, costume designer Lizzie Gardiner, production designer Sam Hobbs, special effects supervisor Brian Cox, composer Caitlin Yeo and casting directors Kirsty McGregor and Stevie Ray.
Stenders tells IF: “We are very excited and thrilled to be able to bring Danger Close to US audiences and share a uniquely Australian perspective on this untold and compelling moment in the Vietnam War.”
Saban Films president Bill Bromiley said: “This film commemorates such a remarkable story of heroism, ready to be brought to the forefront. We look forward to sharing it with the American audience.”
The international sales agent, Saboteur Media’s Mark Lindsay added: “We are thrilled to have Saban Films as our North American distributor. Danger Close pays tribute to all Vietnam war veterans and brings to light the incredible sacrifices these young men endured.”
Saban Films recently announced a partnership with Kevin Smith for his Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, which stars Chris Hemsworth and Rosario Dawson.
Its upcoming slate includes Casey Affleck’s directorial debut Light of My Life, Wayne Roberts’ The Professor starring Johnny Depp, Brian De Palma’s Domino starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Derrick Borte’s American Dreamer featuring Jim Gaffigan.