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Closer Productions’ new factual series Eat The Invaders to premiere on ABC in January
21 November 2024
Exciting new factual series Eat The Invaders from South Australia’s Closer Productions will premiere on ABC TV and ABC iview on Tuesday 7 January at 8.30pm – get your first look below!
From SA writer/director Matthew Bate and SA executive producer Rebecca Summerton, Eat The Invaders looks at Australia’s unique biodiversity which is being attacked and overrun by the invasive plants and animals brought here by our colonial ancestors. Pests like cane toads, camels, carp, cats, deer and rabbits have driven many of our native plants and animals to the brink of extinction.
But what if a radical rethink could help turn this problem into an opportunity? Over six episodes filmed around Australia, host Tony Armstrong – with the help of scientists, land carers and an artist and a chef – will attempt to turn our unwanted ecological trash into desirable culinary gold, in a provocative attempt to Eat the Invaders.
The series has principal production funding from the ABC and Screen Australia, and is financed with support from the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) and Screen Tasmania.
ABC Head of Documentaries and Specialist Susie Jones said: “Eat The Invaders is a highly original series tackling one of the most significant issues in Australia in a fresh, engaging and playfully provocative manner. Over six captivating episodes, Tony takes us through the compelling stories of these invasive species, meeting with everyday Australians, experts, scientists and artists in an optimistic quest for solutions. We’re delighted to share this series and look forward to the conversations it provokes at dinner tables around the nation.”
Screen Australia Head of Documentary Richard Huddleston said: “Eat the Invaders serves up a creative and imaginative approach to exploring the threats to our unique biodiversity. On and off screen this series demonstrates the power of collaboration, and the result gives audiences plenty of food for thought.”
SAFC CEO Kate Croser said: “The SAFC is delighted to support this new original factual series from South Australia’s Closer Productions as the latest production to come out of the ABC SAFC Content Pipeline Fund. Made by SA writer/director Matthew Bate and SA executive producer Rebecca Summerton utilising South Australian crew, and with all post-production to be done in the state, Eat the Invaders will showcase the diverse talents and capability of South Australia’s screen sector in an exciting and entertaining new format.”
Closer Productions Executive Producer Rebecca Summerton said: “Eat The Invaders provocation of Australians eating (and thus helping clean up) the environmental mess caused by invasive species allows us to explore the crisis faced by our native biodiversity, the impacts of colonialism and our cultural relationship with food. We hope this program playfully opens up conversations we don’t often have around what we eat and why.”
Eat The Invaders will showcase the beauty of our nation alongside the effects our invasive species are causing and spotlight the conversation on how to manage and conserve our wilderness.
PRODUCTION CREDITS: A Closer Productions production for the ABC. Principal production funding from Screen Australia and the ABC. Financed with support from the South Australian Film Corporation and Screen Tasmania. International sales by ABC Commercial. Writer and director: Matthew Bate. Executive Producer: Rebecca Summerton. Producer: Sarah Wormald. Creative Producer: Kirsha Kaechele. ABC Commissioning Editor: Kalita Corrigan. ABC Head of Documentary and Specialist: Susie Jones.