Ten years after foreign correspondent Peter Grestes’ release from an Egyptian prison a film based on his experience is being released in Australia.
In anticipation for the film’s release the 2014 Walkley award winner spoke to an audience at Yarraville’s Sun Theatre before the release of his biographical film ‘The Correspondent’.
The journalist, alongside the films’ lead actor Richard Roxburgh, director Kriv Stenders and producer Carmel Travers, was part of a Q&A with the public after a preview screening of the film was showcased three weeks ago. The cast and crew discussed details of the film’s creation before its release today.
When asked about what the film’s creation meant to the journalist, Mr Greste stated he felt “very gratified” and was “proud to hand the story over” to professionals such as Mr Stenders and Ms Travers. Both have previously found success in Australian media, such as the film ‘Red Dog’ and the documentary ‘Refugee Like Me’.
When asked about the film’s storyline, Ms Travers emphasised that it’s “not a hero’s journey”, as Mr Roxburgh portrays Mr Greste as “vulnerable” and “scared” throughout his imprisonment. She continued by referencing the screenwriting as integral to the film’s production, stating, “By attaching an extraordinary screenwriter (Peter Duncan), we could accentuate authenticity in the story.”
Professor Lisa French, Dean of the School of Media and Communications at RMIT, praised the film for its “commitment to political cause when the landscape is really fresh” to portray this story commercially. “Things about the film do a lot that the book doesn’t do,” Professor French stated. “The sound and camera throughout the film really punctuates the story”.
After a decade, Mr Greste remains a convicted terrorist under Egyptian law. He encourages the public to continue supporting independent journalists by ‘reading and subscribing’ to independent media.
Sophie Janusko 