ABC commissions Cliff Young telemovie
The story of a 61 year old potato farmer who won an ultra marathon between Sydney and Melbourne in 1983 will be the centre of an ABC telemovie, it was announced today.
Dean Murphy will direct and Nigel Odell produce Cliffy for Clock End Films and ABC1.
Written by Robert B Taylor, casting is underway for the film, due to start April throughout Albury -Wodonga and regional Victoria.
Cliffy is the story of Cliff Young, who beat the finest athletes to win the Westfield Sydney to Melbourne ultra Marathon trimming two days off the previous record and beat his competitors by running while they were sleeping.
Carole Sklan, ABC TV’s Head of Fiction said: “Few stories capture the public imagination like that of Cliff Young. Nearly 30 years after famously shuffling from Sydney to Melbourne and into Australian folklore, Cliffy continues to fascinate and inspire. We are delighted to be partnering with such an accomplished creative team to bring this iconic tale to ABC TV.”
Producer Nigel Odell said: “Dean and I are thrilled to be working with ABC TV to bring to life the story of this Aussie legend. Here is a man, who at the very mention of his name makes people smile. Everyone relates to Cliffy because secretly we all feel we have the ability to do amazing things if only we were given the chance and we love an underdog. He embodies everything we value in Australia and it’s fantastic that ABC TV is giving Australian audiences another chance to celebrate this amazing man and his incredible achievements.”
Murphy previously directed Charlie & Boots, Strange Bedfellows and is executive producing Cradlewood. Nigel Odell produced Torn, Long Weekend and Strange Bedfellows.
Is there a contact for the producers of the Cliffy telemovie?
cheers
Neil Kearney
neil.mediamakers@bigpond.com
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