Government Helps Attract New Mel Gibson Movie to Nsw

Troy Grant Deputy Premier of NSW Minister for Justice and Police Minister for the Arts Minister for Racing

Wednesday, 15 July 2015

GOVERNMENT HELPS ATTRACT NEW MEL GIBSON MOVIE TO NSW

Efforts by the Liberals & Nationals Government have secured NSW as the primary filming location for screen legend Mel Gibson’s next blockbuster, Hacksaw Ridge.

This film will generate around 720 jobs and over $26 million in production expenditure across central Sydney, Western Sydney and regional NSW.

Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant said NSW continues to attract high quality international films that boost our economy and love of the arts.

“ We have an iconic capital city, breathtaking regions and a strong and talented screen industry that all help make our state the premier film destination in Australia.

Award winning actor and director Mel Gibson said NSW is a great place for film.

“I can't think of a better place to shoot this film than here in Sydney and NSW, where I was fortunate to have grown up and started my career,” Mr Gibson said.

“ The support from the NSW government has been overwhelming in ensuring the best production value possible."

Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts said the government played a key role in securing NSW as the primary filming location.

“This investment reflects the NSW Government’s commitment to driving economic growth and job creation by attracting businesses to establish and expand in NSW,” Mr Roberts said.

“We are extremely pleased that Hacksaw Ridge will be primarily filmed here.”

Hacksaw Ridge is the true story of conscientious objector Desmond Doss who, in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, saved 75 men without firing a gun. Believing that the War was just but killing was nevertheless wrong, he was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon.

Doss single-handedly evacuated the wounded near enemy lines, braved fire while tending to soldiers and was wounded by a grenade and hit by snipers. He is the only conscientious objector to ever win the US Medal of Honour.

Directed by Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge will begin pre-production this month (July 2015) and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2016. It will star Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider-Man, The Social Network) with screenplay by Australian writer Andrew Knight and Pulitzer Prize Winner, Robert Schenkkan. US producer Bill Mechanic and Australians Bruce Davey and Paul Currie will produce the film. Executive Producer is James Vernon, who has produced and financed more than 30 films worldwide.

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