New Stan Revealed documentary highlights
• Danielle Laidley documents for Stan the life of former AFL player and coach
• The Cape, a true-crime documentary about the fishing clans of Cape York
• Safe to Drink will explore a global health and environmental disaster
• Otto on Otto chronicles the life of actor Barry Otto, directed by daughter Gracie
Stan and Screen Australia have announced four new Stan Original Documentaries for the streaming platform’s documentary slate Revealed.
The commissions are made possible with the support of Screen NSW, VicScreen, Shark Island Foundation and Fremantle Global Documentaries.
The news indicates how both Nine and Paramount Australia continue to invest heavily in their respective streaming platforms – Stan and Paramount+.
The Stan commissions come from a diverse collection of filmmakers.
Eddie McGuire’s JAMTV continues to produce popular AFL documentary series with Danielle Laidley joining previous commissions from both Stan and Prime Video.
In JAMTV’s latest, Danielle Laidley (above) documents her career as a high-profile football player and coach to subsequent battles with drug addiction and gender dysphoria. She speaks to the courage enabled by Donna, a lifelong friend turned supportive partner and the ongoing impact of Victoria Police’s actions that outed her transgender status to the world.
Viewers are promised they will see Dani and Donna navigate their paths forward in a critical 12 months under public scrutiny. Dani will launch her autobiography, approach the AFL to put her voice toward inclusivity, strive to rebuild family relationships and work to find her place in the community as an LGBTIQ+ representative.
Filmmaker Michael Ware
Emmy award-nominated Michael Ware (Only the Dead) will direct The Cape, a documentary about the mysterious tragedies befalling an isolated community in Australia’s Cape York. When a 10-year-old boy and his father vanish while checking their shark nets, it unravels a dynastic alliance between fishing clans. A mother and son are accused of murder and a love triangle gone horribly wrong raise questions of guilt and complicity.
Safe to Drink is a collaboration between Walkey Award-winning journalist Carrie Fellner and The Sydney Morning Herald that investigates toxic chemicals that have sparked an international health and environmental catastrophe. The documentary tells the story of the impacts on contaminated communities who are fighting for justice, both in Australia and across the world. Safe to Drink is produced and directed by Janine Hosking (The Eulogy), Katrina McGowan (The Eulogy) and Mat Cornwell.
In the fourth of the new commissions, Gracie Otto directs a feature-length documentary about her father, Australian actor Barry Otto, in Otto on Otto. Gracie reflects on her relationship with her father in the twilight of his career and his life, as she tries to capture his memories before they disappear.
Gracie and Barry Otto (Photo: Hugh Stewart)
In announcing the expanded documentary slate, Stan chief content officer Cailah Scobie said in a release: “These four new Stan Original Documentaries will make powerful additions to our growing Revealed lineup. From intimate portraits of trailblazers Danielle Laidley and Barry Otto to a detailed examination of a global health disaster and the unravelling of two shocking disappearances in Cape York, these uniquely Australian stories come from an outstanding collection of journalists, directors and producers. We can’t wait to share these stories on Stan next year.”
Screen Australia’s head of documentary Alex West added: “We are proud to support these filmmakers who have demonstrated immense expertise in crafting bold investigations and intimate human portraits, exploring equality and identity in our society. I’m confident these insightful documentaries will inspire reflection and help spark change, and I can’t wait to see them premiere on Stan next year.”
Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth said: “Screen NSW is thrilled to partner with Stan on its Revealed documentary slate that will support our talented NSW documentary filmmakers. Screen NSW supported Otto on Otto, Safe to Drink and The Cape. I look forward to seeing all the original documentaries on Stan in 2023.”
Production details
Danielle Laidley
Danielle Laidley (working title) chronicles the life of Danielle Laidley, former high-profile player and coach in the AFL. Using never-before-seen archival materials, it charts Dani’s early childhood in a working-class Perth suburb through her career in Australian football. For the first time, Dani dives deep into her battles with identity, drugs, the media, Victoria Police, and subsequent court investigations. Danielle Laidley exposes Laidley’s new life with partner Donna and their journey to forge Dani’s new public image, as they work to break down barriers in our culture as well as their personal lives. Co-directed by Emmy award-winning Julie Kalceff (First Day) and Sam Matthews (Unboxed), and produced by JAMTV (Stan Original Documentary Series Show Me the Money, Making Their Mark).
Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with VicScreen. Distributor: Fremantle/Fremantle Global Documentaries.
The Cape
The Cape is a portrayal of an isolated community forever changed by tragedy. In the vast, little-understood wilderness of Australia’s Cape York, fortune-hunters hide amongst the mangroves and the crocs, seeking to bend the ancient laws of nature to their will. When a ten-year-old boy and his father vanish while checking their shark nets, it unravels a dynastic alliance between mighty fishing clans. A mother and son are accused of murder and a love triangle gone horribly wrong raise questions of guilt and complicity that ripple out far beyond the alleged killers.
Directed by Michael Ware and written by Justine Rosenthal. Produced by Richard Finlayson (Waltzing the Dragon with Benjamin Law) and Jude Troy (All this Mayhem) of Wooden Horse (The Clearing, The Stuff the British Stole), the documentary is captured by Torres Strait-born cinematographer Murray Lui (Stan Original Series Black Snow, Top End Wedding). Edited by Karryn de Cinque (High Ground, Slim and I).
Principal production funding from Screen Australia. Post, digital and visual effects supported with Screen NSW.
Distributor: Fremantle/Fremantle Global Documentaries.
Safe to Drink
Safe to Drink investigates toxic chemicals that have sparked an international health and environmental catastrophe and tells the story of the devastating impacts on contaminated communities who are fighting for justice, both in Australia and across the world.
Safe to Drink is in collaboration with Walkey Award-winning journalist Carrie Fellner and The Sydney Morning Herald, and is produced and directed by Janine Hosking (The Eulogy), Katrina McGowan (The Eulogy) and Mat Cornwell with iKandy Films and Gari Yala Films and produced in association with Shark Island Foundation.
Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with Screen NSW and Shark Island Foundation.
Otto on Otto
Gracie Otto directs the feature-length documentary Otto on Otto about her father, Barry Otto, whose career in Australian theatre, film and television has spanned more than 50 years.
Utilising archival footage and voiceovers, the film delves deep into Barry’s broad repertoire of work. Featuring interviews with Barry’s collaborators, Otto on Otto takes audiences on a journey through Australia’s theatre industry in the 70s and 80s.
Produced by Nicole O’Donohue and Cody Greenwood.
Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with Screen NSW.