Here Out West
A baby is kidnapped from a Western Sydney hospital by a desperate grandmother. Her flight sets off a chain of events that brings together complete strangers over the course of one dramatic day.
Here Out West is a poignant drama about family and an authentic portrait of place written by eight talented young writers from Western Sydney.
Borne from Co-Curious’ flagship development program, Behind Closed Doors, and co-produced with Emerald Productions, Here Out West utilised our unique model of development and production which ensures writers have a seat at the table from concept through to distribution.
Written By: Nisrine Amine, Bina Bhattacharya, Matias Bolla, Claire Cao, Arka Das, Dee Dogan, Vonne Patiag, Tien Tran
Directed By: Fadia Abboud, Lucy Gaffy, Julie Kalceff, Ana Kokkinos, Leah Purcell
Counting and Cracking
Featuring a world-class cast of performers hailing from six different countries, Counting and Cracking follows the journey of one Sri Lankan-Australian family over four generations, from 1956 to 2004. In the course of telling this family’s epic story of break up and reunion, the narrative also tells the tale of two countries: Sri Lanka post-independence and Australia as an immigrant nation.
Winner of 14 major awards including Helpmann Awards for Best Production and Best Direction, Counting and Cracking is written by Sri Lankan Australian S. Shakthidharan and directed by Eamon Flack, Artistic Director of Belvoir. Counting & Cracking debuted at the Sydney Festival 2019 and has recently played in Edinburgh and Birmingham.
8 Nights Out West
Western Sydney actor and filmmaker Arka Das has a passion for eating local. Over 8 nights, he invites friends and collaborators from feature film Here Out West to go out for a meal and uncover the delicious food shaping the myriad of cultures that make up Western Sydney. Inspired by the eight distinct chapters and writers from Here Out West, each episode ventures into a different culinary culture, placing a spotlight on the buzzing hubs that host their thriving diasporic communities and beyond.
A Co-Curious and Emerald co-production. Developed and produced in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and with the support of Screen Australia Producer Equity Program. Presented by Arka Das. Created & Directed by Matias Bolla & Arka Das. Produced by Kali Reid and Executive Produced by Annabel Davis and Sheila Jayadev.