At the beginning of Baz Luhrmann’s Faraway Downs, 12-year-old Aboriginal boy Nullah (Brandon Walters) recounts the abiding lesson his grandfather taught him growing up in the wilderness of the Northern Territory of Australia: “Tell ‘em story.” Over the course of the six-part series, a reimagining of Luhrmann’s 2008 film Australia, story will emerge as one of the four cornerstones of Aboriginal identity, the others being country, song, and dreaming.
Luhrmann uses footage from the film, scenes that were lost to the cutting-room floor, and a modern soundtrack by Indigenous artists to expand the story and give it new depth. The narrative arc of the series, though, remains largely identical to that of Australia: When an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman), travels to Australia to convince her husband to sell the titular ranch, she comes into the orbit of a cattle drover named Drover (Hugh Jackman), and after embarking on a journey together,...
Luhrmann uses footage from the film, scenes that were lost to the cutting-room floor, and a modern soundtrack by Indigenous artists to expand the story and give it new depth. The narrative arc of the series, though, remains largely identical to that of Australia: When an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman), travels to Australia to convince her husband to sell the titular ranch, she comes into the orbit of a cattle drover named Drover (Hugh Jackman), and after embarking on a journey together,...
- 11/27/2023
- by Amelia Stout
- Slant Magazine
Plot: The story centers on an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley, who travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called ‘Faraway Downs’. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney, plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah, a bi-racial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s draconian racial policy now referred to as the “Stolen Generations.” Together the trio experiences four life-altering years, a love affair between Lady Ashley and the Drover, and the unavoidable impact of World War II on Northern Australia.
Review: Baz Luhrmann’s films have always defied filmmaking norms. From Romeo + Juliet to Elvis, Moulin Rouge to The Great Gatsby,...
Review: Baz Luhrmann’s films have always defied filmmaking norms. From Romeo + Juliet to Elvis, Moulin Rouge to The Great Gatsby,...
- 11/22/2023
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
Hulu has revealed the trailer for Baz Luhrmann’s “Faraway Downs” starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. “Faraway Downs” will premiere on Hulu on November 26, 2023.
About the film:
The story centers on an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) who travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called ‘Faraway Downs’. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a bi-racial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s draconian racial policy now referred to as the “Stolen Generations.” Together the trio experiences four life-altering years, a love affair between Lady Ashley and the Drover,...
About the film:
The story centers on an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Nicole Kidman) who travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called ‘Faraway Downs’. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a bi-racial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s draconian racial policy now referred to as the “Stolen Generations.” Together the trio experiences four life-altering years, a love affair between Lady Ashley and the Drover,...
- 10/20/2023
- by Kristyn Clarke
- Age of the Nerd
Baz Luhrmann (Elvis) revisits his Australia feature film and transforms the nearly three-hour epic into the six-episode series Faraway Downs. The limited series will include an hour of footage that didn’t make the film’s final cut, as well as a different ending.
“I got the idea and started to relook at the footage and realized I’ve shot enough to do it as episodic storytelling through a revisiting of the piece, not necessarily as a better film than Australia, but a different variation on the themes,” explained Luhrmann in an interview with TheWrap. “I was able to use the strengths of episodic storytelling to breathe those things out and explore them in a stronger way.”
The feature film, and now the Hulu limited series it spawned, stars Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Bryan Brown, Brandon Walters, and Ben Mendelsohn. 2008’s Australia, which currently sits at 54% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes,...
“I got the idea and started to relook at the footage and realized I’ve shot enough to do it as episodic storytelling through a revisiting of the piece, not necessarily as a better film than Australia, but a different variation on the themes,” explained Luhrmann in an interview with TheWrap. “I was able to use the strengths of episodic storytelling to breathe those things out and explore them in a stronger way.”
The feature film, and now the Hulu limited series it spawned, stars Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Bryan Brown, Brandon Walters, and Ben Mendelsohn. 2008’s Australia, which currently sits at 54% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes,...
- 10/19/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman‘s Faraway Downs has its first trailer!
If you don’t know, it’s a 6-chapter reimagining of the 2008 film Australia! The original film (and this series) are directed by Baz Luhrmann and starred Nicole and Hugh.
Keep reading to find out more…
Here’s the synopsis: The story centers on an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman) who travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called ‘Faraway Downs’. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a bi-racial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s...
If you don’t know, it’s a 6-chapter reimagining of the 2008 film Australia! The original film (and this series) are directed by Baz Luhrmann and starred Nicole and Hugh.
Keep reading to find out more…
Here’s the synopsis: The story centers on an English aristocrat, Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman) who travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called ‘Faraway Downs’. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a bi-racial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s...
- 10/19/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
The first trailer for “Faraway Downs” has arrived, but maybe it has been here since 2008.
The six-part limited series, which debuts on Hulu next month, reimagines Baz Luhrmann’s 2008 epic “Australia” with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman with added footage and an entirely different ending.
In an interview with TheWrap, Luhrmann explained that he decided to take another look at “Australia” – which received mixed and negative reviews from critics and grossed just over $210 million at the worldwide box office – while production was shut down on “Elvis” during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I got the idea and started to relook at the footage and realized I’ve shot enough to do it as episodic storytelling through a revisiting of the piece, not necessarily as a better film than ‘Australia,’ but a different variation on the themes,” he explained. “I was able to use the strengths of episodic storytelling...
The six-part limited series, which debuts on Hulu next month, reimagines Baz Luhrmann’s 2008 epic “Australia” with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman with added footage and an entirely different ending.
In an interview with TheWrap, Luhrmann explained that he decided to take another look at “Australia” – which received mixed and negative reviews from critics and grossed just over $210 million at the worldwide box office – while production was shut down on “Elvis” during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I got the idea and started to relook at the footage and realized I’ve shot enough to do it as episodic storytelling through a revisiting of the piece, not necessarily as a better film than ‘Australia,’ but a different variation on the themes,” he explained. “I was able to use the strengths of episodic storytelling...
- 10/19/2023
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Baz Luhrmann is returning to the Outback (and the cutting room floor) for limited series “Faraway Downs.”
The auteur recut 2008 epic “Australia” into a six-part Hulu limited series. The show follows an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) and a rough-hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) who join forces to protect the million-acre cattle ranch of her late husband.
The official synopsis reads: Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman) travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called Faraway Downs. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a biracial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s...
The auteur recut 2008 epic “Australia” into a six-part Hulu limited series. The show follows an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) and a rough-hewn cattle drover (Hugh Jackman) who join forces to protect the million-acre cattle ranch of her late husband.
The official synopsis reads: Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman) travels halfway across the world to confront her wayward husband and sell an unusual asset: a million-acre cattle ranch in the Australian Outback called Faraway Downs. Following the death of her husband, a ruthless Australian cattle baron, King Carney (Bryan Brown), plots to take her land and she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn cattle drover (Jackman) to protect her ranch. The sweeping adventure romance is explored through the eyes of young Nullah (Brandon Walters), a biracial Indigenous Australian child caught up in the government’s...
- 10/19/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Baz Luhrmann’s Faraway Downs, a reimagined extended version of the filmmaker’s 2008 film Australia, has just gotten its first trailer. The six part re-imagining of his epic is heading to Hulu in the United States, Star+ in Latin America, and Disney+ in all other territories on November 26, 2023.
“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,” said Baz Luhrmann. “With over 2 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 honored 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.”
“We are so happy to be sharing the creative...
“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,” said Baz Luhrmann. “With over 2 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 honored 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.”
“We are so happy to be sharing the creative...
- 10/19/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Released in the fall of 2008, just a few months after this very site was born, Baz Luhrmann’s Australia, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, ended up doing decently with a worldwide gross of $211 million on its $130 million budget, though it’s safe to say with its disappointing reception both in the U.S. and with critics at large, it hasn’t been fondly revisited. However, the director wasn’t done telling the full story of the mid-20th century tale as he’s expanded it into a six-part Hulu series arriving this November. Ahead of the release, the first trailer has now arrived.
“It was when Elvis shut down due to Covid,” the director tells The Wrap when it comes to the formation of the project. “I got the idea and started to relook at the footage and realized I’ve shot enough to do it as episodic storytelling...
“It was when Elvis shut down due to Covid,” the director tells The Wrap when it comes to the formation of the project. “I got the idea and started to relook at the footage and realized I’ve shot enough to do it as episodic storytelling...
- 10/19/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Baz Luhrmann is looking at the benefits of streaming content.
The “Elvis” director recut his 2008 epic “Australia” for a Hulu limited series titled “Faraway Downs.” The film followed an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) who inherits a cattle range run by a cattle drover (Hugh Jackman). The limited series will have a new ending and a new soundtrack; “Australia” originally shot three endings, with only one making it into the theatrical release.
“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,” Luhrmann said in a press statement. “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.”
Six-episode limited series “Faraway Downs” will premiere at the closing night of the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Festival October 21, with Luhrmann in attendance.
The “Elvis” director recut his 2008 epic “Australia” for a Hulu limited series titled “Faraway Downs.” The film followed an English aristocrat (Nicole Kidman) who inherits a cattle range run by a cattle drover (Hugh Jackman). The limited series will have a new ending and a new soundtrack; “Australia” originally shot three endings, with only one making it into the theatrical release.
“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,” Luhrmann said in a press statement. “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.”
Six-episode limited series “Faraway Downs” will premiere at the closing night of the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Festival October 21, with Luhrmann in attendance.
- 10/10/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Baz Luhrmann’s 2008 feature “Australia” is coming back this year in a new format and with a new title.
Luhrmann has re-edited “Australia” into a six-episode limited series called “Faraway Downs.” The project will debut at the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Festival on October 21 before arriving on Hulu and Disney+ starting on November 26.
“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,” Luhrmann said in a statement. “With over 2 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 honored 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.”
“Australia” and...
Luhrmann has re-edited “Australia” into a six-episode limited series called “Faraway Downs.” The project will debut at the inaugural SXSW Sydney Screen Festival on October 21 before arriving on Hulu and Disney+ starting on November 26.
“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,” Luhrmann said in a statement. “With over 2 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 honored 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.”
“Australia” and...
- 10/9/2023
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
An expanded and reimagined cut of Baz Luhrmann’s Australia is set to premiere on Disney streaming platforms as a six-part limited series.
Titled Faraway Downs, the six-episode installment will be comprised of footage that was captured for the 2008 film, along with an expanded, serialized version of the story with a new ending and updated soundtrack. The limited series will be released exclusively as a Hulu Original in the U.S., a Star Original on Disney+ and on Star+ in international markets this winter.
“I originally set out to take the notion of the sweeping Gone With the Wind style epic and turn it on its head,” said Luhrmann. “A way of using romance and epic drama to shine a light on the roles of First Nations people and the painful scar in Australian history of the ‘Stolen Generations.’ While Australia the film has its own life, there was another...
Titled Faraway Downs, the six-episode installment will be comprised of footage that was captured for the 2008 film, along with an expanded, serialized version of the story with a new ending and updated soundtrack. The limited series will be released exclusively as a Hulu Original in the U.S., a Star Original on Disney+ and on Star+ in international markets this winter.
“I originally set out to take the notion of the sweeping Gone With the Wind style epic and turn it on its head,” said Luhrmann. “A way of using romance and epic drama to shine a light on the roles of First Nations people and the painful scar in Australian history of the ‘Stolen Generations.’ While Australia the film has its own life, there was another...
- 6/28/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
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