By Cara Nash
Production has commenced on Simon Baker’s directorial feature debut, Breath, an adaptation of Tim Winton’s acclaimed novel of the same name. The film is currently shooting in Western Australia and production will also move to Denmark.
Set in the mid-’70s, Breath follows two teenage boys, hungry for discovery, who form an unlikely friendship with a mysterious older adventurer named Sando, who pushes them to take risks that will have a lasting and profound impact on their lives.
It was previously announced that as well as directing the film, Baker would play Sando, but it’s just been revealed that rising star Elizabeth Debicki (The Great Gatsby, The Night Manager and the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy 2) will play his wife, Eva.
Newcomers Samson Coulter and Ben Spence (pictured) will play the two young teens, Pikelet and Loonie, while Richard Roxburgh and Rachel Blake will play Mr. and Mrs. Pike.
An esteemed group of writers have gathered to adapt Winton’s prose to screen including the author himself, along with Peter Duncan (Rake), Gerard Lee (Top of the Lake) and Baker.
The production crew is also top-notch with Steven Jones-Evans (The Daughter, The Railway Man) acting as Production Designer, Marden Dean (The Infinite Man, Fell) as Cinematographer, Terri Lamera (Son of a Gun, Looking For Grace) as Costume Designer and Dany Cooper (Candy, The Sapphires) editing the film.
Says Baker: “Tim’s book viscerally captures the restless curiosity and yearning for identity that often defines our coming of age,” said Baker. “I am thrilled with the cast and crew we have assembled to bring this story to life.”
