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David Field has an unforgettable face, that’s what 30 years on Australian screens does to you.
He’s featured in numerous film and television roles including Chopper, Gettin’ Square and the Oak Milk “Hungry/Thirsty” advertisements. His gritty accent often bringing him to similar roles.
But the former boy from Parkes is sick of seeing the same stories told in Australian cinema and wants more ethnic diversity.
Now based in the northern Illawarra, Field is pushing boundaries by stepping behind the lens for his second directional feature The Combination Redemption. It’s written by friend George Basha (who stars in the lead) and opens around the country from February 7.
Like its prequel released in 2009, The Combination, the plot center around gang wars and underworld crime in Western Sydney.
Field admitted it is a low budget film as Screen Australia couldn’t help with post-production, but hopes it still resonated with people.
“What happens a lot of times with the arts bureaucracies who hold the money is they want to appropriate the voices of diversity,” he said.
“We don’t mind being managed about the quality of the script or the story or the themes, but we think it’s very important these diverse voices – if they’re from Campbelltown or Liverpool or Warrawong … why shouldn’t they have a voice in cinema.”
These diverse voices – if they’re from Campbelltown or Liverpool or Warrawong … why shouldn’t they have a voice in cinema?
- David Field
Coledale film editor Shelley O’Neil also worked on the film and said it reveals “Sydney’s other self”.
“It’s one of those cities that is very fractured,” she said. “[It’s] very sectioned off so most of Sydney is this whole world that other parts of Sydney don’t know about.”
Meanwhile, Field is getting the wheels in motion for another feature with Basha – this time a “gentle heartwarming story” titled The Sentence.
So far the pair have been given funding from Screen Australia for script development though it might take some time to see it at the movies.
Field and Basha aim to start filming once The Combination Redemption is finished it’s run, and “when some buggar gives us some money”, Field laughed.
The Combination Redemption opens in cinemas around the country on February 7 – including Event Cinema Wollongong.
THE PLOT
Six years have passed, and Lebanese-Australian John Morkos (George Basha) remains haunted by the events that led to the death of his brother. As John begins to rebuild his life, he finds solace in the boxing ring at his local gym.
Meanwhile, tensions are building on the streets of western Sydney, as a ruthless new crime boss Nas (Johnny Nasser) seeks to expand his empire, and the formation of a radical group of white supremacists threatens to shatter the social fabric of the local community.
When the gym becomes a focal point of these gathering forces, and the threat to the community begins to escalate, John must come to terms with his past, make the right choices, and take a stand against overwhelming odds. Sometimes you’ve got to fight for what’s right.