Making gravy: Why Australians are producing so many Christmas films
By Garry Maddox
December 2, 2023 — 5.00am – Sydney Morning Herald
- Since the start of the pandemic, Australia has become such a prolific producer of Christmas films that it could be called the new tinsel town.
- Ten examples include two that have been released in cinemas in the past fortnight … A Savage Christmas and Christmess.
- Queensland producer Steve Jaggi, who specialises in uplifting female-driven films set in idyllic locations in North America, has made three Christmas films this year and plans another four next year.
- Streaming services have largely driven this new boom, with Stan leading the way with A Sunburnt Christmas, Christmas on the Farm, Christmas Ransom and Jones Family Christmas.
- A film version of Paul Kelly’s celebrated How To Make Gravy recently finished shooting in Queensland.
On a warm May afternoon in the far south-western suburbs, Heath Davis is directing a low-key Christmas scene in a rundown house that has been donated for the shoot.
The resourceful DIY filmmaker, best known for the rugby league drama Broke and the wry high school comedy Book Week, has Steve Le Marquand playing a famous actor, Chris Flint, who gets a job just out of rehab as a shopping centre Santa in the comic drama Christmess.
Flint tries on his red suit for his two amused halfway housemates: his cheerful sobriety sponsor (Darren Gilshenan) and a free-spirited musician (Hannah Joy). “This is going to be the best character you’ve ever played,” the sponsor says. READ WHOLE ARTICLE
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