- Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage's psychological thriller The Surfer filmed in Western Australia's South West created 150 local jobs
- Production possible thanks to State Government contributing funding via the Production Attraction Incentive
- Yallingup the scene for Australian / Irish co-production showcasing WA, once again, as perfect backdrop for films
As filming for the psychological thriller The Surfer wraps up in the South West this week, figures are coming to hand showing the flow on economic benefits to the region from the State Government supported production.
The film, starring Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage, has been filmed in Yallingup and saw 150 Western Australians employed as cast, crew and extras.
As well as the employment boost, the production is estimated to result in more than $4.85 million being spent in WA.
The Surfer is a Stan Original Film, in partnership with CinemaPlus, who will be releasing the film theatrically in Australia. The film sees an impressive Australian ensemble cast join Nicolas Cage: Julian McMahon (Nip/Tuck), Nicholas Cassim (Mr Inbetween), Miranda Tapsell (The Dry), Alexander Bertrand (Australian Gangster), Justin Rosniak (Last King of the Cross), Finn Little (Yellowstone), Rahel Romahn (Wizards!) and Charlotte Maggi (Rebel Moon Part One: A Child on Fire).
Directed by Lorcan Finnegan (Vivarium) and written by Thomas Martin, it is an Australian and Irish co-production by Tea Shop Productions, Arenamedia, Lovely Productions and Gramercy Park Media with support from Screenwest.
The film's producer Robert Connolly has been behind a large number of projects in WA including Blueback, Sweet As, Paper Planes, The Turning, These Final Hours.
The story is about a man, who returns to Australia to buy back his family home after many years in the U.S. He is humiliated in front of his teenage son by a group of local surfers who claim ownership over the secluded beach. Wounded, he defies the group and remains at the beach, demanding acceptance. As the conflict escalates he is brought to the edge of his sanity as his entire identity is thrown into question.
Comments attributed to Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"Having Academy Awardwinner Nicolas Cage in WA is a coup in itself, resulting in national and international media coverage of our great State. On top of that, audiences all over the world and movie makers will get to see Western Australia on the big screen again.
"Locally there has been employment and economic benefits with 150 Western Australians employed as cast, crew and extras, and qualifying WA expenditure of $4,851,825.
"All in all, this is a great outcome and return on investment for the financial support provided by the Cook Government through the Production Attraction Incentive Fund and via Screenwest."
As stated by Warren Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie:
"Having The Surfer filmed locally has resulted in a real buzz through the South West as so many jobs were created and businesses were busy servicing cast and crew.
"Naturally I think the South West is the best place on earth to film a movie but I think that once people see our natural wonders for themselves on the big screen, they will want to come and visit. It really is fantastic for tourism and the local economy."
