Troy Grant
Deputy Premier of NSW
Minister for Justice and Police
Minister for the Arts
Minister for Racing
Wednesday, 15 July 2015
GOVERNMENT HELPS ATTRACT NEW MEL GIBSON MOVIE TO NSW
Efforts by the Liberals & Nationals Government have secured NSW as the primary filming
location for screen legend Mel Gibson’s next blockbuster, Hacksaw Ridge.
This film will generate around 720 jobs and over $26 million in production expenditure
across central Sydney, Western Sydney and regional NSW.
Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant said NSW continues to attract high
quality international films that boost our economy and love of the arts.
“We have an iconic capital city, breathtaking regions and a strong and talented screen
industry that all help make our state the premier film destination in Australia.
Award winning actor and director Mel Gibson said NSW is a great place for film.
“I can't think of a better place to shoot this film than here in Sydney and NSW, where I was
fortunate to have grown up and started my career,” Mr Gibson said.
“The support from the NSW government has been overwhelming in ensuring the best
production value possible."
Minister for Industry, Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts said the government played a
key role in securing NSW as the primary filming location.
“This investment reflects the NSW Government’s commitment to driving economic growth
and job creation by attracting businesses to establish and expand in NSW,” Mr Roberts said.
“We are extremely pleased that Hacksaw Ridge will be primarily filmed here.”
Hacksaw Ridge is the true story of conscientious objector Desmond Doss who, in Okinawa
during the bloodiest battle of WWII, saved 75 men without firing a gun. Believing that the
War was just but killing was nevertheless wrong, he was the only American soldier in WWII
to fight on the front lines without a weapon.
Doss single-handedly evacuated the wounded near enemy lines, braved fire while tending to
soldiers and was wounded by a grenade and hit by snipers. He is the only conscientious
objector to ever win the US Medal of Honour.
Directed by Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge will begin pre-production this month (July 2015)
and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2016. It will star Andrew Garfield (The
Amazing Spider-Man, The Social Network) with screenplay by Australian writer Andrew
Knight and Pulitzer Prize Winner, Robert Schenkkan. US producer Bill Mechanic and
Australians Bruce Davey and Paul Currie will produce the film. Executive Producer is James
Vernon, who has produced and financed more than 30 films worldwide.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jarrad Schwark 0429 234 308