Baz Luhrmann’s “Faraway Downs”, an extended version of his 2008 epic film “Australia”, will premiere at the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Festival later this month.
The “Elvis” director will present it in person on Saturday, October 21st, with the film being told as a six–part mini series and starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. The film will then hit streaming services worldwide, including Hulu, Star+, and Disney+, starting November 26th.
“I was inspired to re-approach my film “Australia” to create “Faraway Downs” because of the way episodic storytelling has been reinvigorated by the streaming world,” says Luhrmann. “With over two million feet of film from the original piece, my team and I were able to revisit anew the central themes of the work.
“I am honoured to world premiere “Faraway Downs” in Australia, the place that has inspired me and my work my entire life, and with a partner like SXSW who deeply recognizes the intersection of film, television and music with storytelling.”
Colin Daniels, SXSW Sydney Managing Director, adds: “We are so happy to be sharing the creative work of Baz Luhrmann and the entire “Faraway Downs” team at Australia’s first ever SXSW Sydney.”
Starring Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Ben Mendelsohn and others, “Australia” follows English aristocrat Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman), who travels to Australia to sell her million-acre cattle ranch, Faraway Downs. After her husband’s death, she joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover to protect her ranch from a ruthless cattle baron.
The film is seen through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), an Indigenous Australian child affected by government policies now during the Stolen Generations. Together, they experience life-altering years, love, and the impact of World War II on Northern Australia.
“Australia” was directed, produced (with Catherine Knapman and G. Mac Brown) and co-written by Luhrmann, alongside other writers including Stuart Beattie, Ronald Harwood and Richard Flanagan, with production and costume design by multiple Academy Award winner Catherine Martin.
With a diverse line-up of films, shorts, TV premieres, music videos, and XR, the SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival runs from October 15th-22nd.
