Screen Australia has invested almost $5.5 million in two feature films, My Mistress and Son of a Gun, as well as a second series of indigenous TV program Redfern Now.
The second, six-part series of Redfern Now will once again tell the stories of six indigenous families whose lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant incident. Acclaimed writer Jimmy McGovern (The Street, Cracker) will take Redfern Now writers Steven McGregor, Adrian Wills and Jon Bell, as well as new writers Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell, through an intense development process. The series will be produced by Blackfella Films’ Darren Dale and Miranda Dear.
“Redfern Now is one of several partnerships between ABC TV and Screen Australia’s Indigenous department and I’m very proud of the work we’re achieving together,” said Screen Australia’s chief executive Ruth Harley in a statement. “This is compelling television drama at its very best, showcasing extraordinary talent both in front of and behind the camera.”
My Mistress is producer Leanne Tonkes and director Stephen Lance’s debut feature film about a teenager suffering from grief after his father’s suicide. He seeks help from a local French S&M mistress in an attempt to reconnect with his life. It is written by Gerard Lee (Sweetie, All Men Are Liars) and will be executive produced by Robyn Kershaw (Save Your Legs!, Bran Nue Dae).
Son of a Gun will mark the debut feature for writer/director Julius Avery (Jerrycan, Yardbird). The film is a psychological thriller about a young man sent to prison who becomes the apprentice to public enemy number one. It is produced by Timothy White (Gettin’ Square) with co-producer Janelle Landers and executive producers Aaron L Gilbert, John Collee, Bryce Menzies and Aidan O’Bryan.
Screen Australia said the two films and TV series will generate over $21 million in production expenditure.
REDFERN NOW SERIES 2
Synopsis: Redfern Now is a kaleidoscopic drama series that explores the inner-city suburb and the people who inhabit it. Over six stand-alone episodes, with interlinking secondary characters, we join the households of six ordinary families whose lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant incident.
Production Company: Blackfella Films Pty Ltd
Producers: Darren Dale, Miranda Dear
Story Producer: Jimmy McGovern
Writers: Steven McGregor, Adrian Wills, Jon Bell, Wayne Blair, Leah Purcell
Directors: TBC
Broadcaster: ABC1
International Sales: ABC Commercial
MY MISTRESS
Synopsis: Suffering from grief after his father’s suicide, 16-year-old Charlie Boyd seeks out the help of a local French S&M mistress in an attempt to reconnect with his life.
Production Company: Mini Studios
Producer: Leanne Tonkes
Executive Producer: Robyn Kershaw
Writer: Gerard Lee
Director: Stephen Lance
Australian Distributor: Transmission Films with RKPix
International Sales: LevelK
SON OF A GUN
Synopsis: A young man is sent to prison where he becomes the apprentice to public enemy number one. Southern Light Films Pty Ltd
Producer: Timothy White
Co-producer: Janelle Landers
Executive Producers: Aaron L Gilbert, John Collee, Bryce Menzies, Aidan O’Bryan
Writer/Director: Julius Avery
Australian Distributor: Hopscotch
International Sales: Altitude Films, United Talent Agency (UTA)