By NOEL MURPHY
OSCAR-winning actress Kate Winslet is taking the You Yangs to the big screen, filming The Dressmaker with Aussie actress Judy Davis at the increasingly-popular Little River movie site.
Winslet plays the role of a 1950s dressmaker who returns to her hometown seeking vengeance on locals who mistreated her years before, causing her to flee amid accusations of murder.
Director Jocelyn Moorehouse has adapted the movie from a Rosalie Ham novel, describing the story as “Unforgiven with a sewing machine”.
Filming has been taking place at a granite-riddled Mount Rothwell site in the You Yangs, previously utilised for other movies such as Heath Ledger’s Ned Kelly.
Australian actor Liam Hemsworth will also appear in the The Dressmaker.
Winslet has worked in Australia before when she filmed Jane Campion’s Holy Smoke in 1999.
Geelong’s popularity as a film industry destination continues to grow on the back of films ranging from recent flicks such as Nicholas Cage’s Ghost Rider to classics such as Mel Gibson’s Mad Max.
The You Yangs have this year also hosted filming of ABC mini-series The Secret River, adapted from Kate Grenville’s award-winning book.
The colonial era mini-series stars British actor Oliver Jackson-Cohen, of Mr Selfridge and Dracula, alongside Aussie actors Tim Minchin, Sarah Snook and Lachy Hulme.
Oscar nominee screenwriter Jan Sardi, of Shine and Mao’s Last Dancer, is also involved, while Fred Schepisi, from Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith, is director, underscoring the strength of Geelong’s allure to the film industry.
