ATMOSPHERIC: The Old Castlemaine Gaol will feature in new movie Crestfallen. Picture: PETER WEAVING
THE Old Castlemaine Gaol will feature in a new film.
David Ban and Michael Kubli have been filming Crestfallen with a cast of 60 actors and dozens of extras since October 2011.
The filmmakers will use the 1861 jail for internal shots tomorrow after reading about it in the Bendigo Advertiser.
“It seemed to look visually appealing on screen,” Mr Kubli said. “We’re using it for the cells and the corridors, all interior shots, then using J Ward at Ararat for the exterior shots, which was a jail then an insane asylum.
“It’s another form of advertising for the Castlemaine jail.”
Actors and crew members will travel from Melbourne for the filming. “We were going to film at the Old Melbourne Gaol but they were charging $350 an hour, which we can’t afford at this stage,” Mr Kubli said.
“The aim is for release at major film festivals throughout Australia and possibly overseas, depending on how we go.
“Fingers crossed we’ll get it released in arthouse cinemas as well.”
The story centres around a father whose daughter is kidnapped by a criminal organisation. He embarks on a search for her himself.
Mr Kubli said while the storyline sounded like Hollywood blockbuster Taken, it was quite different.
“It’s more down to earth,” he said. “It’s nothing like the Hollywood version... the main character’s not a superhero or anything.”
Jail developer Calum McClure said the publicity would be good for the site.
“It’s great to see it being used,” he said.
“We’ve got to get our own tourist strategies going, but anything that spreads the knowledge of the jail is probably good.”
Mr Kubli said the film would be released towards the end of the year.