BAZ LUHRMANN’S NEW FILM TO BE SHOT IN QUEENSLAND
Published Tuesday, 12 December, 2006 at 03:08 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Australian director Baz Luhrmann will shoot part of his new film in Bowen, Premier Peter Beattie announced today.
During a meeting this afternoon, Mr Luhrmann confirmed that the film ‘Australia’ will be based in Bowen for about three months next year and shoot for five weeks.
The production is expected to have a cast and crew of over 200 people and will star Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.
“Baz Luhrmann is an extraordinary story teller and I am pleased that he has agreed to shoot much of his new film in Queensland,” Mr Beattie said.
“Bowen will have a starring role in the film which traces an Englishwoman’s cattle-drive across Australia during the 1930’s.
“The Queensland Government will provide an incentive of $500,000 to the production and it is expected the economic benefits will be in the vicinity of $7 Million for the State.
“I know the people of the Bowen region will be thrilled to host the cast and crew over nearly three months from May next year.
“Baz’s decision to feature Bowen will create local jobs and generate significant tourism opportunities for the region upon the film’s release.
“In addition to the financial support we are providing, the Queensland Government through the Pacific Film and Television Commission, will provide support to the production while they are in Bowen,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Luhrmann said:
“The title of the film ‘Australia’ is really a metaphor for a state of mind. Nicole Kidman’s character, Lady Sarah Ashley, an English aristocrat, finds herself unexpectedly in the north of Australia from the mid 1930’s until the bombing of Darwin. While she is there, the landscape, people and experiences of this faraway exotic country bring renewal to her life.
“The Darwin of the 1930’s was exotic and romantic and Bowen with its deep water port, turquoise water, palm trees and beautiful beaches provided the perfect locale to capture this feeling on screen.
“We had looked at many port towns and cities throughout the whole country. Apart from the technical aspects of Bowen, the deciding factor has been the good spirits and willingness of the people of Bowen to partner with us in showcasing this gorgeous part of Australia to the world.
“Premier Beattie and his team have been incredibly proactive in helping bring this portion of the filming to Queensland and I look forward to working with the Premier and his team in ensuring that we don’t just make a good film but that there is an exchange between our production and the state of Queensland resulting in ongoing benefits beyond the shooting period.”
The Kimberley region of Western Australia will also feature in the film with production also occurring in Sydney. ‘Australia’ will go into pre-production in late March and shooting is scheduled to begin in April.
Baz Luhrmann’s films include the successful and highly distinctive Moulin Rouge, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Strictly Ballroom.
Member for Whitsunday, Jan Jarratt welcomed the announcement saying “Not only will the production be a huge economic boost for the region, it will put the international spotlight on Bowen – a region already famous for its beautiful beaches and of course, it’s superb mangoes”.
ends
Media information:
Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
During a meeting this afternoon, Mr Luhrmann confirmed that the film ‘Australia’ will be based in Bowen for about three months next year and shoot for five weeks.
The production is expected to have a cast and crew of over 200 people and will star Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.
“Baz Luhrmann is an extraordinary story teller and I am pleased that he has agreed to shoot much of his new film in Queensland,” Mr Beattie said.
“Bowen will have a starring role in the film which traces an Englishwoman’s cattle-drive across Australia during the 1930’s.
“The Queensland Government will provide an incentive of $500,000 to the production and it is expected the economic benefits will be in the vicinity of $7 Million for the State.
“I know the people of the Bowen region will be thrilled to host the cast and crew over nearly three months from May next year.
“Baz’s decision to feature Bowen will create local jobs and generate significant tourism opportunities for the region upon the film’s release.
“In addition to the financial support we are providing, the Queensland Government through the Pacific Film and Television Commission, will provide support to the production while they are in Bowen,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Luhrmann said:
“The title of the film ‘Australia’ is really a metaphor for a state of mind. Nicole Kidman’s character, Lady Sarah Ashley, an English aristocrat, finds herself unexpectedly in the north of Australia from the mid 1930’s until the bombing of Darwin. While she is there, the landscape, people and experiences of this faraway exotic country bring renewal to her life.
“The Darwin of the 1930’s was exotic and romantic and Bowen with its deep water port, turquoise water, palm trees and beautiful beaches provided the perfect locale to capture this feeling on screen.
“We had looked at many port towns and cities throughout the whole country. Apart from the technical aspects of Bowen, the deciding factor has been the good spirits and willingness of the people of Bowen to partner with us in showcasing this gorgeous part of Australia to the world.
“Premier Beattie and his team have been incredibly proactive in helping bring this portion of the filming to Queensland and I look forward to working with the Premier and his team in ensuring that we don’t just make a good film but that there is an exchange between our production and the state of Queensland resulting in ongoing benefits beyond the shooting period.”
The Kimberley region of Western Australia will also feature in the film with production also occurring in Sydney. ‘Australia’ will go into pre-production in late March and shooting is scheduled to begin in April.
Baz Luhrmann’s films include the successful and highly distinctive Moulin Rouge, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Strictly Ballroom.
Member for Whitsunday, Jan Jarratt welcomed the announcement saying “Not only will the production be a huge economic boost for the region, it will put the international spotlight on Bowen – a region already famous for its beautiful beaches and of course, it’s superb mangoes”.
ends
Media information:
Premier’s Office – 3224 4500