Following a successful cinematic release and opening Sydney Film Festival in 2021, critically acclaimed feature film, Here Out West will air this Sunday on ABC TV.
The film follows eight interconnected stories set in the buzzing and ever-changing melting pot of Western Sydney.
Nancy visits her daughter in hospital who has just given birth. Tagging along is her 8-year-old Lebanese neighbour, Amirah, who she is babysitting.
It is a bittersweet meeting for Nancy, as her new grandchild is about to be taken away, her mother being deemed unfit by the authorities to keep her.
In an act of desperation, Nancy makes the decision to steal the baby, fleeing from the hospital with Amirah by her side.
Not long after their audacious escape, a pedestrian is involved in a hit and run. Three young men step in to help, unsure if he’ll survive the night.
Across eight distinct yet interconnected stories, Nancy’s spontaneous flight sets off a chain of events that brings together complete strangers over the course of one dramatic day.
The film features an exceptional ensemble cast including Genevieve Lemon (Top of the Lake, The Power Of The Dog) , Leah Vandenberg (The Hunting, The Letdown), Arka Das (Lion, Mulan), Gabrielle Chan (Hungry Ghosts, Jasper Jones), Jing-Xuan Chan (Harrow, The Family Law), Thuso Lekwape (The Principal, Pulse), Rahel Romahn (The Principal, Mr Inbetween), De Lovan Zandy Mia-Lore Bayeh, Christian Ravello, Khoi Trinh, Christine Milo and Brandon Nguyen.
Here Out West is written by eight of the country’s brightest new writers, Nisrine Amine, Bina Bhattacharya, Matias Bolla, Claire Cao, Arka Das, Dee Dogan, Vonne Patiag & Tien Tran. Directed by Fadia Abboud (Barons, Australian Gangster), Lucy Gaffy (Irreverant, Amazing Grace), Julie Kalceff (First Day, Starting From Now), Ana Kokkinos (Fires, The Hunting, Blessed) & Leah Purcell (The Drover’s Wife, Cleverman). Produced by Annabel Davis, Sheila Jayadev (Stateless, Ali’s Wedding) & Bree-Anne Sykes (Wellmania, The Heights).
Here Out West Production Credits:
A Co-Curious and Emerald co-production. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Create NSW, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Spectrum Films. Produced by Annabel Davis, Sheila Jayadev and Bree-Anne Sykes. Executive Produced by Blake Ayshford, S. Shakthidharan and Lyn Norfor. ABC Executive Producers Sally Riley and Clare Atkins. ABC Head Of Drama, Entertainment & Indigenous Alex Baldwin.
Loved this warm and moving film! Beautifully put together by all the creators 🙂