The strong community and compassion surrounding Australia’s indie film scene is best highlighted via the aptly titled charity film HERO, which gets a DVD release at Supanova this month.
When the founder of Sons of Obiwan Saber Academy (a light saber theatre combat school), Luke Boyton, met Heroes legend Greg Grunberg at Supanova Brisbane last year and presented him with his own saber, it sparked the beginning of something great.
With Sons of Obiwan frequently working closely with a number of charities and those with special needs, Boyton (who has a Heroes tattoo) and Grunberg began discussing the subject.
Grunberg mentioned his own epilepsy awareness charity, talkaboutit.org, and asked if Sons would do a short video “with a little demonstration and a discussion of what the Sons do, all with a focus towards promoting talkaboutit.org” that would premiere during his Epilepsy Netathon.
“We wanted to do something that would make people sit up and take notice,” Boyton told Supanova.
Rallying together some of the industry’s best, they produced a short film that’s charming, funny and delivers a number of unexpected turned.
Think of a Star Wars fan film and “flip it on its head”.
“That’s why it’s set in Australia, that’s why it’s set on Earth… It’s the direct opposite of every other fan film,” Boyton explains.
“Police are driving down the road and a girl staggers out of the bush and says there’s been a plane crash and they go to investigate.”
It features Aussie acting legend John Jarratt and his son, Charlie, who make a genius comedic duo.
“It’s just really funny and it wouldn’t be the same film without John in it – John absolutely makes the film.”
It’s also a visually stunning film, through epic gear and beautifully choreographed fight sequences from Sons of Obiwan head instructor Chad Bennett.
“We think it’s the first short film filmed in 8K. We had a producer bring in an $80,000 RED Camera, and I think the last time it was used was for The Hobbit.”
Boyton and co are currently finalising the DVD release for Supanova Brisbane and Adelaide, which will be overflowing with additional content.
Check out the Sons Of Obiwan Saber Academy website for more information.
