Recovering addict Gus Farnsworth arrives at the abandoned family outback station ‘Exmoor’, looking to leave behind his demons in the city – hoping to find peace in the solitude, and the strength to continue his life.
But what Gus doesn’t know is Violet, also from the city – got there sometime before him. Violet is escaping demons of her own, while also looking for peace – if only someone could show her the way.
Gus’s grip on reality loosens as Violet reveals her true identity – along with her reasons for hiding at Exmoor, and her role in the disappearance of Gus’s great uncle Glen, former owner of Exmoor – over 30 years ago.
Furthermore, trouble is approaching across the dusty outback in the form of Nigel – a deranged escaped criminal, intent on maintaining his emancipation at any grisly cost. Nigel carries a cargo that will threaten Gus’s bid for liberty from his past. Local police Constable Terry Jacobs, coming to terms with his impending demise – sets out across the outback in pursuit of Nigel, not anticipating the fate awaiting both he and his quarry.
All paths lead to a final bloody confrontation at Exmoor – with lasting consequences for all. Gus and Violet find their peace, with Violet facing her last sunrise in Gus’s arms – while Gus finally finds the answers he was looking where he least expected to find them.
Quorn is an outback railway town just 40 km from Port Augusta in the heart of the Flinders Ranges.
Quorn is popular as a backdrop for famous films including Gallipoli, The Shiralee, The Tracker and Russell Crowe's The Water Diviner Stan series The Tourist. and the Wolf Creek mini-series.
My inspiration for AT FIRST LIGHT is twofold. Firstly, I’ve always wanted to write a film set in the Australian outback. Some of my favourite Australian films have been shot in this location, including WAKE IN FRIGHT and WOLF CREEK. I find the Australian outback beautiful – full of light, space and sunburnt colours. I also love its inherent drama and romance of the outback. I’ve also wanted to shoot a film in this setting for practical considerations, such as plenty of space and natural light. South Australia is my home state and shooting a film there also holds great appeal to me.
Secondly, AT FIRST LIGHT is my first vampire film. As a screenwriter I am creating characters based on mythological/supernatural beings. My first feature film, THE UNLIT was about a witch. My second film, MAGPIE (currently shooting) is about a ghost, while my feature film currently in development, THE WOMAN BY THE WATER is about a water nymph. I have a long held fascination for vampire stories, with Tony Scott’s THE HUNGER sitting easily in my top 10 movies.
AT FIRST LIGHT also allows me to explore my love of romance – another genre I am drawn to. Some of my greatest influences as a screenwriter have been literary, including the romantic works of D.H. Lawrence (Sons and Lovers), Richard Adams (The Girl in a Swing), and Emily Bronte (Wuthering Heights).
I am in love with this story and believe it will succeed in finding an adoring audience, both here is Australia and globally.
DARREN MARKEY
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