by Renee Wood
The team behind the award-winning feature film The Dry are visiting the Yarra Valley for the return of Eric Bana as detective Aaron Falk in the adaption of Jane Harper’s novel Force of Nature.
Shooting has begun in Victoria for the feature film with scenes primarily to be shot in the Yarra Valley and Dandenongs Ranges.
Robert Connolly is returning as writer and director and Mr Bana will be joined by cast members Anna Torv (Mindhunter) as Alice Russell, Deborra-lee Furness (Jindabyne) as Jill Bailey, Robin McLeavy (Homeland) as Lauren, Sisi Stringer (Mortal Kombat) as Beth, Lucy Ansell (Utopia) as Bree and Jacqueline McKenzie (Romper Stomper) as Federal Agent Carmen Cooper.
Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor is back in the role of Erik Falk, alongside Richard Roxburgh as Daniel Bailey, Tony Briggs as Ian Chase and Kenneth Radley as Sergeant King.
It’s easy to see how the region fits in well with the story line, with Force of Nature focusing on five women who take part in a corporate hiking retreat and only four come out on the other side.
Federal Agents Aaron Falk (Bana) and Carmen Cooper (McKenzie) head deep into the Victorian mountain ranges to investigate in the hopes of finding their whistle-blowing informant, Alice Russell (Torv), alive.
Mr Bana said he’s thrilled and proud to follow up their efforts on The Dry with Force of Nature.
“Jane has once again provided a thrilling story that gives us another chance to showcase a unique and incredible Australian landscape,” Mr Bana said.
“Whilst it was always our dream to bring this story to the big screen, its fate always rested with the Australian cinemagoing public. Their overwhelming support of The Dry turns this into a reality.”
Made Up Stories’ Bruna Papandrea, Jodi Matterson and Steve Hutensky are producing alongside Bana for Pick Up Truck Pictures and Connolly for Arenamedia. Ricci Swart, Andrew Myer, Robert Patterson, Joel Pearlman and Edwina Waddy are executive producing.
The film has received major production investment from Screen Australia in association with VicScreen and will be entirely shot in Victoria, with the Otaways also chosen as a location.
Screen Australia’s Head of Content Grainne Brunsdon said The Dry was an extraordinary success, reaching number one at the Australian box office and quickly becoming an Australian classic.
“We’re delighted to support this immensely talented team’s return for Force of Nature and deliver an enthralling Australian thriller. Starring some of Australia’s finest actors and set against the striking landscapes of Victoria, this film is set to be another cinematic event.”
Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson said the Government’s $191.5 million VICSCREEN strategy was bringing more productions to regional destinations and creating thousands of jobs.
“From Jane Harper winning the Premier’s Literary Award for The Dry to now having a second Victorian-made feature film in the works – this is a stunning Victorian creative success story that will inject $10 million into the state’s economy and showcase Victoria’s regions to the world,” Mr Pearson said.
