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.
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…!