A host of Australian talent has descended on Winton, Queensland, as production for the contemporary Western thriller Goldstone commences.
Starring Aaron Pedersen (The Fear of Darkness, Mystery Road), Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook, Animal Kingdom), Alex Russell (Unbroken, Carrie), David Gulpilil (Charlies Country, The Proposition), David Wenham (Paper Planes, Oranges and Sunshine) and Tom E. Lewis (The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, Red Hill), Goldstone is the latest film from acclaimed writer/director Ivan Sen (Mystery Road, Beneath Clouds) and long-term producing partner David Jowsey (Mystery Road, Satellite Boy).
‘We are proud to be supporting and investing in Queensland’s award-winning writer and director Ivan Sen and his producing partner David Jowsey of Bunya Productions,’ said Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira, in a statement issued to the media.
Queensland Premier and Arts Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said Screen Queensland was investing $530,000 in Goldstone, which is expected to reap direct returns of $2.15 million in Queensland Production Expenditure (QPE) to the state’s economy.
The film has received has also direct funding support of $1.2 million through Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department.
“Film production has a direct impact in providing employment and skill development opportunities for Queensland’s technicians and creative talent,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
The fictional township of Goldstone will be built in entirety and shot exclusively in the Winton Shire region.
The film is a spin off from Ivan Sen's acclaimed Mystery Road, also shot in Winton Queensland in 2012, and supported by Screen Queensland through development and production funding. Mystery Road premiered internationally at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival and opened the 60th Sydney Film Festival receiving critical acclaim.
Aaron Pedersen is set to reprise will role of indigenous detective Jay Swan.
Many of the original Mystery Road will also return to Winton to shoot Goldstone.
“The economic value of the screen industry is very evident when played out in regional communities,” said Ms Vieira. “Spend from the production and its cast and crew on accommodation, retail and entertainment including Winton’s local cafes and pubs will be meaningful in this drought affected community.”
As part of Screen Queensland’s commitment to Early Career Screen Practitioners, Aaron Fa’Aoso has been granted an attachment to producer David Jowsey for the production and post-production of Goldstone.