01 09 2022 - Media release

Four new documentaries announced for Stan's Revealed strand

Danielle Laidley

Stan and Screen Australia today announced four brand new documentaries for Stan’s documentary slate Revealed, created in collaboration with award-winning journalists, filmmakers and philanthropists from Australia and around the world – and with support from Screen NSW, VicScreen, Shark Island Foundation and Fremantle.  

Danielle Laidley documents Laidley’s life so far, from her career as a high-profile football player and coach to her 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 will see Dani and Donna navigate their paths forward in a critical twelve 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. 

Emmy® award-nominated Michael Ware (Only the Dead) directs The Cape, a haunting documentary about the mysterious tragedies befalling an isolated community in Australia’s Cape York. 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 raises questions of guilt and complicity that ripple out far beyond the alleged killers. 

In collaboration with Walkey Award-winning journalist Carrie Fellner and The Sydney Morning Herald, 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. Produced and directed by Janine Hosking (The Eulogy), Katrina McGowan (The Eulogy) and Mat Cornwell. 

Finally, Gracie Otto directs a feature-length documentary about her father, Australian icon Barry Otto, in Otto on Otto. With a career in Australian theatre, film and television that has spanned more than 50 years, Barry Otto is a national treasure – a creative, endearing and eccentric personality who embraces the serious and the silly. In Revealed: 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. Poignant and passionate, Revealed: Otto on Otto will leave the audience with a rare insight into a true artist.

Screen Australia’s Head of Documentary Alex West said, “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.”

Stan Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie said, “Guaranteed to enlighten and spark debate, these four brand-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.”

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 Revealed: Otto on Otto, an intimate family portrait of icon Barry Otto, Revealed: Safe to Drink from leading Australian filmmaker Janine Hosking, and Revealed: The Cape, which will examine an isolated community reeling from tragedy. I look forward to seeing all the original documentaries on Stan in 2023.”

Mandy Chang, Global Head of Documentaries at Fremantle, who is partnering on Danielle Laidley and The Cape said, "Fremantle is so excited to be partnering with Stan on these thought provoking and remarkable Australian stories. It is our pleasure to be working alongside the exceptionally talented filmmaking teams behind both projects, whom I know and admire very much."

Revealed continues later this year with Revealed: Reefshot, an urgent call to action on the state of the Great Barrier Reef.

DOCUMENTARIES PREMIERING IN 2023

• 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 (Show Me the Money, Making Their Mark). Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with VicScreen. Fremantle will handle international distribution.
• The Cape: The Cape is an intimate 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 raises questions of guilt and complicity that ripple out far beyond the alleged killers.  
  Directed by fearless storyteller Michael Ware and written by Justine Rosenthal, The Cape is a living, haunting mystery. Produced by Richard Finlayson (Waltzing the Dragon with Benjamin Law) and Jude Troy (All this Mayhem) of Wooden Horse (Stuff The British Stole), the documentary is captured by Torres Strait-born cinematographer Murray Lui (Black Snow). Edited by Karryn de Cinque (High Ground). Principal production funding from Screen Australia. Post, digital and visual effects supported with Screen NSW. Fremantle will handle international distribution.
• Safe to Drink: Revealed: 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. Revealed: 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: Inspired to make an intimate family portrait, Gracie Otto directs this feature-length documentary about her father, Barry Otto, whose career in Australian theatre, film and television has spanned more than 50 years. Revealed: Otto on Otto is about Gracie’s relationship with her father in the twilight of his career and his life, as she tries to capture his memories before they disappear. The film takes audiences on a journey through Barry’s life, from his formative years growing up in Brisbane and his various roles throughout his career, to his quieter years surrounded by art, poetry and his cat Bogart. Utilising archival footage and voiceovers, the film delves deep into Barry’s broad repertoire of work. Featuring interviews with Barry’s collaborators, Revealed: 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, the documentary is not just a cinematic reflection of Barry’s life – it is a fun, hilarious and heartbreaking film with just a touch of fashion and madness. Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with Screen NSW.

Otto on Otto

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