It’s been years in the making, but finally the cinematic teaser telling the tale of Les Darcy has gone public.
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Filmed and produced by childhood friends Zac Garred and Tom Arthur, The Ballad of Les Darcy (based on Peter FitzSimons’ book) is a celluloid nod to Maitland’s boxing legend.
This month – in association with Eponine Films – Garred and Arthur have released the teaser of the highly anticipated film.
“The teaser is used to allude to Darcy’s story, show the capability of the creative team behind it and also the resources available to tell the story,” Garred said.
The young filmmakers turned to the Pozible crowdsourcing website to raise $4000 for the film with scenes shot locally around Newcastle and the Hunter including the Richmond Vale Railway Museum.
“One of our greatest priorities is keeping the local angle. People in our region have a strong attachment to him and his story, it is only fitting that we tell it from where he tread and where he is laid to rest,” Arthur said.
“Les’ story is so iconic and the support we received just to make the teaser is a great indication of the demand to have the film made.”
A first draft of the script is finished with Garred staging a reading with American and Australian actors in Los Angeles.
“We are approaching the centenary of Darcy’s death and it is only fitting we aim to have the film completed by then. It is a long process and this is another step,” Garred said.
“It is important that during this time of reflection in our involvement in the Great War we remember those who fought for beliefs other than King and Country.
“Though embedded in our identity as Australians, there is a depth to our history that is more than what happened in Europe from 1914 to 1918. Les’ story is the epitome of that.”