Aussie action film, Life after Fighting, gets global attention

A movie shot entirely in western Sydney with an all-Australian cast will be released in selected cinemas overseas.

An action-packed movie shot entirely in western Sydney has caught the eye of Hollywood – despite working with a fraction of a budget.

The film “Life after Fighting” follows martial arts instructor Alex Faulkner, played by Bren Foster, who is forced to confront a group of international child traffickers after two of his students go missing.

The movie was shot in the suburbs around Penrith including St Clair, Erskine Park and St Marys over the course of five months with an all-Australian cast.

Vertical Entertainment has secured the distribution rights to the film in the US, UK and Canada, while Spinning Plate Films will manage the Australian distribution.

The film features an all-Australian cast, led by Bren Foster. Picture: Supplied

“In Australia we do drama really well and action well separately, but in terms of drama and action together it’s almost non-existent for Australian production,” Foster said.

“We have superior production and a stellar cast and crew, even though we didn’t have the millions of dollars in budget.

“If I look at this film and compare it to anything I’ve done before, I feel like the story and characters are complete and I’m truly satisfied with it.”

Foster, who not only stars in the film but is making his directorial debut and wrote the script, is known for his roles on TNT’s The Last Ship, Sea Patrol and Home and Away, as well as action movies including Maximum Conviction and Cedar Boys.

The 47-year-old, who performed his own stunts and fight sequences in the film, hopes the movie will encourage local productions rather than going internationally.

Life After Fighting was shot in the suburbs around Penrith including St Clair, Erskine Park and St Marys over the course of five months. Picture: Supplied

“Wouldn’t it be great for Aussie actors to be able to get projects here in the country?” Foster said.

“Everything from overseas seems to be ‘better’ and given priority… why can’t we put Australian projects first and a priority?

“We have the talent and drive here, we just need corporate bodies to get behind it and facilitate Aussie projects.

“I want this film to kick off a niche market of drama and action here where we use more Australian talent rather than going overseas for it.”

Former Home and Away star Cassie Howarth plays lead character Samantha Hathaway, a single mum who meets Alex after taking her son to his martial arts studio for lessons.

Cassie Howarth plays Samantha Hathaway in the film. Picture: Supplied

“I loved filming in Australia and especially in the western suburbs of Sydney. There was a strong community feeling which carried into the film,” Howarth said.

“I did a lot of research for my role to help understand women who had come from a similar experience and then to understand the broader themes the film deals with.

“I’ve always been very aware of human trafficking overseas with the countries I’ve travelled to and lived in but I was not as aware of it in Australia.”

Other stars featured in the film include Luke Ford, who gained international recognition in 2008 as Brendan Fraser’s adult son in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, as well as Home and Away actress Annabelle Stephenson.

The film premieres on June 6 at Sydney’s Fox Studios, with guests including John Ibrahim, NCIS Sydney actor Matt Nable and Hobbit actor Stephen Hunter attending.

The movie is scheduled for release in selected cinemas on June 7 across the US, Canada and the UK, with an Australian release on June 13.

Originally published as Aussie action film, Life after Fighting, gets global attention