Screen Oz funds another series of Redfern Now plus two films
Actor/director Leah Purcell added to writing team for Redfern Now series two
Screen Australia is to fund a second series of gritty indigenous drama Redfern Now as part of a $5.5m funding round.
The public funding body has also announced that it is to invest in feature films Son of a Gun – by Julius Avery and starring Ewan McGregor – and My Mistress, to be produced Leanne Tonkes, directed Stephen Lance and written by Gerard Lee.
Joining Redfern Now’s writing team of last year; Jon Bell, Steven McGregor and Adrian Wills, is first series directors Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell.
The series, made up of six standalone episodes, is produced by Darren Dale and Miranda Dear for Blackfella Films. Redfern Now debuted on ABC1 on Thursday 1 November rating 721,000.
Jimmy McGovern, creator of the UK’s Cracker and The Street will again lead the development process of the series.
Screen Australia’s CEO Ruth Harley said: “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. This is compelling television drama at its very best, showcasing extraordinary talent both in front of and behind the camera.”
Son of a Gun, about an apprentice criminal, is the first feature from Julius Avery, writer/director of short film Jerrycan and writer of short film Yardbird, which were both accepted into Cannes International Film Festival.
Bran Nue Dae and Save Your Legs producer Robyn Kershaw will executive produce My Mistress, about a 16 year old boy who attempts to move on from his father’s suicide with the help of an S&M mistress.
ADULT TELEVISION DRAMA
REDFERN NOW SERIES 2
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
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.
FEATURES
MY MISTRESS
Mini Studios
Producer Leanne Tonkes
Executive Producer Robyn Kershaw
Writer Gerard Lee
Director Stephen Lance
Australian Distributor Transmission Films with RKPix
International Sales LevelK
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.
SON OF A GUN
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)
Synopsis A young man is sent to prison where he becomes the apprentice to public enemy number one.
topics
blackfella films
Darren Dale
Ewan McGregor
Julius Avery
Redfern Now
Robyn Kershaw
Son of a Gun
I really have to say that I was shocked by the dated way that Redfern was portrayed in Episode 2. I work right in the middle of the “Block”, surrounded by events and film production companies and can tell you that there are NO gangs of kids hanging out on Eveleigh street. Ever. They are all in School these days. Cabs have no problem taking any of us into Redfern to our front door. The block has been pulled down and redevelopment begins next year on this area. The Redfern shown in Episode 2 hasn’t existed for almost ten years and I am bothered that the producers either took this long to make the film or are happy to perpetuate stereotypes. Anyway, I know no-one’s ever gonna read this but wanted to tell someone…!
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