FOXTEL AND EMMY-AWARD winning producers Hoodlum announced co-production on a bold, new original Australian film this month which will be released in 2017 will have its Australian television premiere on Foxtel.
AUSTRALIA DAY features a stellar cast including Linsten Morris Management’s Shari Sebbens (The Sapphires, The Gods of Wheat Street), Bryan Brown, Matthew Le Nevez (The Kettering Incident, Offspring) Sean Keenan (Lockie Leonard, Glitch), Linsten Morris alum John Brumpton (The Loved Ones, The Hunter) and 14 year old, rising star Miah Madden (The Gods of Wheat Street) who is also a member of the Linsten Morris family.
Set in Brisbane over 12 hours, Australia Day explores the lives of three Australians from diverse backgrounds whose different worlds collide, illuminating contemporary issues that simmer beneath the surface of modern Australia. The heartfelt drama interweaves these three stories and highlights the aspirations of everyday Australians on our most controversial national holiday.
The film will be directed by acclaimed film and television director Kriv Stenders (Red Dog, Kill Me Three Times, The Principal) and written by Stephen M. Irwin (Secrets & Lies). Production commenced in and around Brisbane on August 22 and is financed by Foxtel, Screen Australia and Screen Queensland. Executive Producers are Nathan Mayfield, Tracey Robertson, Leigh McGrath and Foxtel’s Head of Drama Penny Win and Producer Edward Herbert.
Hoodlum’s Executive Producer Nathan Mayfield said: “This powerful story is one that every Australian will connect with. We are constantly questioning what it means to be Australian and what it means for both our newest and oldest Australians. Working closely with local communities,Australia Day offers a rare insight into our current hopes and fears at a grass roots level. We are so excited by the ensemble of cast who bring their own unique perspective to the project. Australia Day is bold storytelling we could only make with Foxtel and with Kriv at the helm we are destined to see a drama that will provoke conversation and give hope to audiences.”
“It’s been with us for two or three years, long before the current topical discussion of racism in Australia. It’s showing Australia Day from the other side. It’s about an Australian farmer, a Chinese illegal immigrant, a Persian family and an Indigenous girl. The structure of it is very like [2004 Oscar winner] Crash. These characters intersect but they don’t know each other. It’s about taking a stand.”
In 2016 Foxtel is premiering more original Australian drama than ever before with the diverse slate of Wentworth season four, Secret City and The Kettering Incident launched with great critical and ratings success. Dramas already announced for 2017’s schedule are the fifth season of Wentworth (showcase) and Top of the Lake: China Girl (BBC First) featuring even more members of our incredibly talented Linsten Morris Family including Ben Oxenbould (The Code 2) and Madeleine Jevic (Upper Middle Bogan).