Two years ago, writer/director Jon Bell made a 15 minute horror short called The Moogai. Bell is now set to make his feature debut with an expansion of The Moogai, and The Babadook producers Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings of Causeway Films are producing the film alongside Mitchell Stanley of No Coincidence Media. Filming will be underway by the end of this month.
The Moogai has the following synopsis:
A young Aboriginal couple brings home their second baby. What should be a joyous time takes a sinister turn, as the baby’s mother starts seeing a malevolent spirit she is convinced is trying to take her baby. The feature explores post-natal depression, transgenerational trauma and Australia’s Stolen Generation (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were removed from their families between 1910 and 1970).
The film stars Shari Sebbens (Thor: Ragnarok) and Meyne Wyatt (The Sapphires), who were both in the short. Tessa Rose (Glitch), Clarence Ryan (Cleverman), Toby Leonard Moore (John Wick), and Bella Heathcote (The Neon Demon) are also in the cast.
Screen Daily reports that sales outfit Bankside Films has acquired the project, and will be presenting it to potential buyers at the American Film Market. The Moogai has already secured distribution in Australia and New Zealand from Maslow Umbrella 387 Entertainment. They note, “The film received major production investment from Screen Australia’s First Nations Department in association with Screen NSW. It was financed with support from Indigenous Business Australia, Spectrum Films, Stage 23, and Head Gear Films. Executive Producers are Stephen Kelliher and Sophie Green of Bankside Films, Phil Hunt, Compton Ross and Daniel Negret of Head Gear Films, and Michelle Pearce.”
Bell had this to say about The Moogai: “The Stolen Generations are a hugely important part of Australia and the fear of somebody stealing your children is a universal fear for parents around the world. When it’s codified into government policy, it becomes a lived horror. I’m hugely honoured to have the team from the short film back for the feature and excited to introduce this expanded version of the story to the world. It’s an opportunity to contribute to the idea of what Australia is, of legislated genocide, and the Aboriginal peoples that refuse to go quietly into the night.“
How does The Moogai sound to you? Have you seen Bell’s short film? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
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