Aussie sci-fi Arrowhead coming to Foxtel

Foxtel sci-fi channel SF has commissioned its first-ever Aussie-made production: the full-length feature film Arrowhead.

When independent Melbourne-based film-maker Jesse O'Brien launched his short film Arrowhead: Signal last year, we fell in love. A little bit Duncan Jones' Moon, a little bit Forbidden Planet and a heck of a lot of thematic Aussie flavour (isolation, alienation and a hostile landscape), it looked like a unique and groundbreaking piece of work, especially since Aussie sci-fi has been scarce over the years. In spite of this, though, the short film did not reach the Pozible funding required to create a full-length feature.

However, for those who were excited about the film, we now have fantastic news: its been picked up by Foxtel sci-fi channel SF — the first Aussie production the channel has commissioned — for a premiere in 2014, first in Australia, then brought to the rest of the world.

Arrowhead is a tale of survival set amongst the distant stars. Kye is a prisoner of war caught between two armies that he doesn't believe in. When offered an opportunity for freedom, Kye sets out on one last rescue mission, only to become stranded on a desert moon when his ship — the Arrowhead — crash lands. Kye has to learn to survive when we discovers a new life form that will challenge his very body and soul.

The film will be shot on location in Australia's desert landscapes in South Australia, emphasising the struggle for survival against a bleak, brutal environment that doesn't care if Kye lives or dies.

Thanks to the rise of independent film-making and crowd funding, we've seen a few really interesting sci-fi pieces emerge, including the dystopian Payloadand survival revenge web series Wastelander Panda.

We're tremendously excited about this — not only for Arrowhead, which, based on the short film, looks incredible, but also for the future implications for Australian genre film. "I'm blessed by SF's faith in local talent. Encouraging other young directors, and enabling them to tell fresh stories — that's what I hope is the result for many other film-makers once it's completed. Aside from having a great movie, of course," O'Brien said.

Check out Arrowhead: Signal and how it was made in the videos below.

Via new.pitchengine.com