Cameras roll on first all-Indigenous TV series
The first all-Indigenous created TV drama series has begun shooting in the inner city suburb of Redfern with a strong cast and crew involved.
The six-part one-hour series Redfern Now, is touted as the first TV show produced, directed and written by Indigenous creators.
The series is produced by Blackfella Films, the same team behind the forthcoming ABC tele-movie Mabo, due to have its world premiere first at the Sydney Film Festival before airing on ABC1.
The series will include direction Mabo’s Rachel Perkins, Satellite Boy’s Catriona McKenzie, Leah Purcell as well as Wayne Blair fresh from the Cannes Film Festival where his picture The Sapphires screened in official selection.
Blair brings with him Sapphires’ cast Deborah Mailman and Shari Sebbens. Also involved is Dean Daley-Jones of Toomelah and Mad Bastards and Jimi Bani who plays the lead role in Mabo.
Under the guidance of British writer Jimmy McGovern, Indigenous screenwriters created a series that tells the stories of six inner city households whose lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant incident.
ABC TV’s head of Indigenous department Sally Riley said: “Redfern Now is the first drama project to go into production which has been developed by the Indigenous Department. It lays the foundation for ambitious Indigenous work and is part of ABC TV’s priority to get more Indigenous work in front of prime-time audiences. Redfern Now has a wealth of inner-city stories that are rich and diverse. Coupled with the celebrated cast, it will make for compelling viewing.”
Funding has come from Screen Australia and Screen NSW and is expected to employ approximately 250 people including crew and extras.
Great news for Indigenous actors and film crew – but rather ironic considering there are few Indigenous persons still living in Redfern !
User ID not verified.