Well-known UK actors have touched down in the Goldfields-Esperance region for the first feature film production in Western Australia since our border reopened, with production of Kid Snow made possible thanks to major investment from the State Government.
Billy Howle of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Outlaw King and On Chesil Beach fame joins Tom Bateman who starred in Netflix series Behind Her Eyes as well feature films Thirteen Lives, Death on the Nile, Cold Pursuit and Murder on the Orient Express. The British pair join Australian actress Phoebe Tonkin who was previously on the big screen in Tomorrow, When the War Began and on TV in H2O: Just Add Water, Bloom, Westworld, The Originals and Safe Harbour.
The Goldfields-Esperance region and Perth will be the backdrop to a compelling love story that shines a light on a little-known aspect of Australia’s sporting history – tent boxing. Production of this “modern Western” set in the 1970s outback is supported by the McGowan Government through major State Government investment funded via the Western Australian Screen Fund, Screenwest and Lotterywest.
In this cinematic film, an Irish boxer named Kid Snow gets a chance to redeem himself in a rematch against a man he fought a decade prior, on a night that changed his life. When Kid Snow meets single mother Sunny, he is forced to consider a future beyond boxing. Director Paul Goldman describes it as an exotic, authentic, sweat-drenched tale of stale beer, campfires and mateship in dust and blinding sunlight. The film is based on the days in the 1900s when boxing tents toured small Australian towns and local fighters who beat professionals became legends in their community.
As stated by Culture and Arts Minister David Templeman:
“We welcome the first feature film production in Western Australia since our border reopened, and where better to film gritty scenes of dust, blinding sunlight, campfires, drinking beer and 1970s tent boxing than Kalgoorlie, with its red dirt and heritage buildings.
“It’s gratifying to know the McGowan Government’s support and State Government funding has made this filming possible. Support for the WA screen industry is critical in creating employment opportunities and regional economic outcomes.
“Like other Western Australians I’ll look forward to watching the film when it’s released and spotting familiar locations in our Goldfields-Esperance region and Perth.”
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“Regional and remote WA provides an extraordinary backdrop for filming and the McGowan Government is proud to ensure screen production can take place in our wonderful State again thanks to the Western Australian Screen Fund.
“This authentic story of tent boxing in the last frontier is bound to pack a visual and emotional punch for local, national and international audiences.
“As well as the joy of seeing Kalgoorlie on the big screen when this film is released, there is a boost for local tourism and job creation on the ground.”
As stated by Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:
“This is an exciting project for the Goldfields-Esperance region, which provides such a stunning backdrop for film makers.
“Tent boxing was a big thing in Kalgoorlie during the last century and this authentic film will bring all of that back to life.
“I think it is wonderful that film makers are increasingly looking to our region to make their films and series, it brings multiple benefits and we want to see more of it.”
Kid Snow Background:
- Billy Howle, Tom Bateman and Phoebe Tonkin join Western Australian actors including Tasma Walton (How to Please a Woman, Mystery Road), Mark Coles Smith (Mystery Road: Origin, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Last Cab to Darwin) and Shaka Cook (Top End Wedding, Operation Buffalo) and Australian actors Hunter Page (Fires, Streamline, Cleverman), Robert Taylor (Into the Ashes, Longmire) and Anthony Hayes (Gold, Total Control, Animal Kingdom).
- Produced by Lizzette Atkins (Looking for Grace), Megan Wynn (The Childhood of a Leader) and Bruno Charlesworth (Ladies In Black) with Executive Producer Matthew Gledhill (Far from Men, The War of the Buttons, Gainsbourg).
- A Unicorn Films, Immaculate Conception and Wynn Media production, with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest, Lotterywest and the Western Australian Screen Fund through the State Government of Western Australia’s Royalties for Regions Program. Financed with support from Soundfirm and Film Victoria, it will be distributed by Madman.
