Described as an “indie mystery drama”, feature film ‘Strangerland’ has commenced filming down under this week. The movie which stars Nicole Kidman, Hugo Weaving and Joseph Fiennes, begins production this week in Australia and plans to shoot in the remote outback towns of Canowindra and Broken Hill later. The feature is directed by Kim Farrant with a screenplay by Fiona Seres and Irish screenwriter Michael Kinirons.
The drama tells the story of Catherine (Kidman) and husband Matthew Parker (Fiennes), whose lives unravel when their two teenage children (played by Nicholas Hamilton and model Maddison Brown) disappear into the harsh Australian desert. An investigation is initiated (lead by a policeman played by Hugo Weaving) and the parents are forced to confront the mystery of their children’s fate.
The film is an Australian-Irish co-production produced by Dragonfly Pictures and Irish company Fastnet Films. Fastnet is run by Macdara Kelleher, Morgan Bushe and director Lance Daly, their recent productions including ‘Kisses’, ‘Love Eternal’ and IFTA nominee ‘Life’s a Breeze.’ Kelleher from Fastnet will be producing ‘Strangerland’ alongside Naomi Wenck from Dragonfly Pictures.
Worldview Entertainment’s Christopher Woodrow, Molly Conners, Maria Cestone, and Sarah E. Johnson are executive producing the feature with Andrew Mackie and Richard Payten. Worldview Entertainment will finance and executive produce while the Irish Film Board, Screen Australia and Screen NSW are also making investments in the film.
Transmission Films is the Australian and New Zealand distributor with Wild Bunch to take international rights. Executive Producer of ‘Strangerland’ and Director of Transmission Films Andrew Mackie stated, “Attracting such an A-list cast is a testament to the film’s gripping and beautifully written script, the creative vision of our director Kim Farrant and the passion and determination of producers Naomi Wenck and Macdara Kelleher.”
Producer Kelleher of Fastnet Films commented, "It's wonderful for Fastnet Films to be producing an incredible project that has attracted an a-list cast in Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes and Hugo Weaving. And it's great to be able to bring such talented Irish crew including cinematographer PJ Dillon, sound recordist Rob Flanagan, writer Michael Kinirons, and photographer Ross McDonnell, as well as many others, as part of the Irish-Australian co-production."
Irish cinematographer P.J. Dillon's recent projects include 'Penny Dreadful', ‘Vikings’ and ‘Ripper Street’, the latter for which was he nominated for this year’s IFTAs. Production sound mixer Robert Flanagan's most recent productions include ‘The Canal’ and ‘Calvary’.
