Adelaide: Principal photography
commences in Australia today on feature drama TRACKS, based on the
inspirational true story of intrepid traveller and writer Robyn Davidson’s solo
trek from Alice Springs through 2700km of sprawling Australian desert to the Indian
Ocean, accompanied only by her loyal dog and four unpredictable camels. This
epic and remarkable journey into one of the world's last great wildernesses,
which was captured by charismatic National Geographic photographer Rick
Smolan, taught Robyn to do the impossible, to appreciate the joy of true
solitude and that sometimes we have to detach from the world to feel connected
to it.
Tracks stars the internationally
acclaimed Australian actress Mia Wasikowska (Jane Eyre, The Kids Are
Alright, Alice in Wonderland) as Robyn Davidson and rapidly rising star
Adam Driver (HBO’s Emmy nominated Girls, Frances Ha, Lincoln, Inside Llewyn
Davis) as Rick Smolan.
Tracks is directed by the esteemed
John Curran (The Painted Veil, We Don’t Live Here Anymore, Praise),
produced by Oscar® winners Emile Sherman and Iain Canning of See-Saw Films (The
King’s Speech, Shame, Oranges and Sunshine) and co-produced by AFI
award-winning producer Julie Ryan (Red Dog, Ten Canoes).
Tracks is based on Robyn Davidson’s
eponymous award winning and best selling book. Translated into twenty languages
for publication, Tracks has now been adapted for the screen by Marion Nelson
and John Curran. Director of Photography is Cannes Camera D’Or and Independent
Spirit Award winning cinematographer Mandy Walker ASC ACS (Australia,
Lantana).
Robyn Davidson says of her story
being translated to the screen ‘What a strange experience it is to see one's
own account morphed into another form. I could not be more pleased with the
people involved in conceiving this new avatar. Emile and Iain, unique among
producers I think, John, who sails as close to the book as he can without
compromising his own ship, and of course, Mia, whose talent gave me goose bumps
when I watched In Treatment, and who is as lovely as she is gifted.’
'This is one of the great Australian
stories that begs to be adapted for the big screen. Robyn undertakes such an
epic journey, doing what many of us wish we had the courage to do - to cast off
the shackles of our lives, going as far away as possible from the noise of
civilisation, and to find out how we would manage truly alone. We couldn’t be
happier to have such strong casting in Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver, playing
the roles of two such intriguing, resolute and adventurous characters.’ said
producers Emile Sherman and Iain Canning.
Set against one of the wildest and
most breathtaking backdrops on the planet, Tracks will be filmed on location
across South Australia and The Northern Territory.
Tracks is a See-Saw Films
production, with investment from Screen Australia, Screen NSW, South Australian
Film Corporation, Deluxe and Cross City Sales.
International Sales are being
handled by HanWay, with distribution including Transmission Films and Momentum
Pictures in Australia and the UK respectively.