Last Ride Commences Principal Photography
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release Monday 21 July
HUGO WEAVING SETS OFF ON HIS LAST RIDE
Feature Film Last Ride to be directed by Cannes winner Glendyn Ivin and starring Hugo Weaving is set to commence principal photography in South Australia today.
Originally due to shoot across three states, the producers were so impressed with the South Australian landscape that the film will now be shot entirely in SA. The South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) has actively supported the project from its initial location surveys, through to its production financing, as an investor in partnership with the Adelaide Film Festival.
Last Ride is a contemporary road movie about a young boy, played by ten-year-old South Australian stage and short film actor Tom Russell in his feature film debut, and his father (Weaving) who are on the run from the law.
Last Ride, written by Mac Gudgeon based on the novel by Denise Young is the directorial debut of Glendyn Ivin who won a Palm d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2003 for short film Crackerbag. The film is produced by Nick Cole (Director: Water Rats) and Antonia Barnard (Painted Veil, Bootmen).
The Premier of South Australia, the Hon Mike Rann MP said it is great to have Last Ride here in South Australia.
"This year, SA already has six feature films in various states of production.”
"There has been a resurgence in feature film production here in South Australia in recent years as well as strong growth in post production and digital effects activity with South Australian creative talent," Mr Rann said.
"According to the latest figures, the film and television industry in SA contributes about $28 million annually to the economy and employs about 1000 people."
SAFC CEO Richard Harris said, “The film industry has been waiting with bated breath to see Cannes winner Glendyn Ivin’s first feature project, so it is exciting that in partnership with the Adelaide Film Festival we have been able to entice him and his strong creative team here, with a story that will make the most of the cinematic South Australian landscape.”
“Last Ride will continue to build the South Australia’s independent filmmaking reputation, and will play an important part in the SAFC’s ongoing mission to build the success and sustainability of the local production sector.”
The six week shoot will take place in locations in the Flinders Ranges, including Quorn, Wilpena Pound and Leigh Creek as well as Woomera and Lake Gairdner.
Last Ride Synopsis
Chook, a neglected ten year-old boy, can’t remember his mother, and his father Kev, is a transient petty crim, an outsider, jailbird and a bully whose idea of a cuddle is a clip around the ear and whose moral universe dictates that any man who touches his son gets what he deserves. On the run from the police Kev decides to head for the bush where he intends to lie low and teach Chook about surviving in the bush. His attempts to teach Chook to swim, to survive and to love are woefully inadequate but we begin to see into his damaged heart and the trauma his time in prison has carved on it.
The arrival of the police forces Kev and Chook to head further into the hostile interior. An argument sees Kev leave Chook in the middle of a waterless salt lake. Chook’s near death awakens a new understanding in him and he realises their survival is in his hands. Chook and Kev push on. In a climactic finale the police arrive and Chook must make a devastating choice about Kev: Kev who would rather die than return to prison.
For more information please contact Danielle Elliott at the South Australian Film Corporation on (08) 8348 9339 or elliottd@safilm.com.au
Downloads
Previous page