In a special three-hour TV event, NITV will show the world premiere of Award-winning filmmaker Warwick Thornton’s The Beach exclusively across NITV, SBS and SBS On Demand on Friday May 29 at 7.30pm. The six-part documentary series will air back-to-back in an immersive experience that takes isolation to new heights.
Created and directed by Thornton and filmed by his son Dylan River, The Beach is observational and unobtrusive, yet visually stunning and cinematic.
Thornton has chosen to try giving up life in the fast lane and live in isolation on a beach in one of the most beautiful yet brutal environments in the world, to see if he can transform and heal his life.
Filmed in Jilirr, Dampier Peninsula, on the north-west coast of Western Australia, he explores the fragility of the human mind, body and spirit in modern times, and how a life of excess, neglect and self-abuse can be transformed through the ancient healing power of nature and connection to Country.
Like his ancestors the Kaytetye people, Thornton relies on the land throughout the experience. Audiences are invited to watch as he develops his instincts and skills to hunt and gather food in order to survive and thrive in this isolated stretch of paradise. Throughout The Beach, Thornton discovers how much he relies on these meals not only for his body, but also for his spirit. Exquisite dishes are prepared silently and without instruction.
NITV Channel Manager Tanya Orman said: “NITV are honoured that Warwick has chosen to share such a personal and stunning masterpiece with us. At a time when many Australians feel a longing to escape or to reconnect to Country, I can’t think of a better way to experience an incredible corner of Australia than to join us for this special three-hour journey.”
The Beach is a World Wide Mind production for NITV, with principal production investment from NITV, in association with Screen Australia.
Escape with The Beach, an exclusive three-hour network event premiering on NITV, SBS and SBS On Demand on Friday 29th May at 7.30pm. Catch up on NITV from 1st June, with episodes airing at 7.30pm each night, as well as on SBS On Demand.