Jandowae revealed as film location for upcoming ‘Boy Swallows Universe’ movie
A small Western Downs town has become the film site of a blockbuster movie set to star some high profile actors. See the exclusive photos from set.
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A Western Downs town has shut down their main street and welcomed actors and film crew from an upcoming movie into their community.
The highly anticipated book to film adaptation of Trent Dalton’s ‘Boy Swallows Universe’ is set to star high profile actors Phoebe Tonkin, Anthony LaPalgia and Simon Baker.
Jandowae has been selected as a filming location for the film, with High Street being closed on Monday December 5 for filming.
Set in 1980s Brisbane, ‘Boy Swallows Universe’ is a coming-of-age novel about Eli Bell, who navigates growing up with an alcoholic father, addict mother, mute bother and a step-father who sells heroin.
The Jandowae Pharmacy and Exchange Hotel, which were selected as film sets, were completely transformed and taken back in time to the 1980s.
Jandowae Pharmacy owner Suzanne Watson said she hopes Jandowae will reap the benefits from having such a high profile movie filmed here.
“(Shutting down the road) is not a big deal. Hopefully it will spark some interest in our little town,” she said.
“Hopefully it’ll spark interest within Western Downs and get people coming out this way. It certainly can’t hurt. We should all do whatever we can to bump the economy.
“We had to adjust what we’re doing, the main street is closed so that has inhibited access.
“We’ve created access via another way, so customers can get their required medication.”
Manager of the Exchange Hotel Bridgett Tredrea said she was thrilled when she found out they were filming in the town and that she’s a huge fan of the novel.
“They’re in here completely transforming the place,” she said.
“We are technically closed, but we’re still operating - just doing take aways out the back.
“They’re filming in the bottle shop area and out the front as well. It looks amazing.
“I’ve read the book too. It’s such a great book and I know they’re gonna do a great job.
“There will definitely be some benefit to the town, it’ll put Jandowae on the map.”
Just a little further down the road, Mitch Tucker who works at Nelson Family Meats said it was great to have more people in town spending money at the local businesses.
“We really didn’t have to change how we operate, we’re sort of right on the edge of it,” he said.
“It’s more the pub and the chemist. They’ve shut the street down now, so people can’t access it. But they can still come to us as usual.
“They’d have to be some benefits [from the filming]. Even just having more people here and spending money in the town.
“It puts more people here and we get more business. I know the coffee shop (Wombats Cafe & Grill) said they definitely have had more business this morning.”
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