Baz Luhrmann to debut Faraway Downs at SXSW Sydney

The six-part series, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, is a reimagined cut of Baz Luhrmann’s 2008 film Australia.

Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in Australia. Picture: 20th Century Fox

Director Baz Luhrmann will debut his latest project, Faraway Downs, at the inaugural SXSW Sydney Festival later in October.

The six-part series is an expanded and reimagined cut of Luhrmann’s 2008 feature Australia. It will be presented by the director in person on the closing night of the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival.

Faraway Downs stars Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Ben Mendelsohn, Bryan Brown and Brandon Walters. Following its premiere, the series will land on the streaming service Disney+ on November 26.

“I am honoured to world-premiere Faraway Downs in Australia, the place that has inspired me and my work my entire life, and with a partner like SXSW who deeply recognises the intersection of film, television and music with storytelling,” said Luhrmann in a statement.

Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in Australia. Picture: 20th Century Fox

“I was inspired to re-approach my film Australia to create Faraway Downs because of the way episodic storytelling has been reinvigorated by the streaming world.

“With over two-million feet of film from the original piece, my team and I were able to revisit anew the central themes of the work.”

It was announced last week that Kidman will headline a star-studded series of screen panels at SXSW Sydney.

The Academy Award-winning actor will appear at a conferences centred on her female-forward production company Blossom Films, which has produced such hits as Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers.

The event, billed as “A Spotlight on Blossom Films”, will see Kidman in conversation with her producing partner Per Saari, with whom she launched the company with back in 2010.

Faraway Downs will close the 2023 SXSW Sydney Screen Festival on Saturday, October 21, then stream on Disney+ from Sunday, November 26, 2023.