Warwick Thornton’s latest film,
Wolfram: A Sequel to Sweet Country,
has joined Paradise City Sales’ upcoming slate just ahead of the Cannes market. Currently being filmed around Alice Springs, Australia, this colonial thriller continues the story set into motion by Thornton’s acclaimed 2017 work “Sweet Country,” which was previously honored with the Venice Film Festival’s special jury prize and Toronto’s Platform prize. The new project is set in the 1930s, four years after the original film’s events, and explores the journey of three irrepressible children escaping from harsh masters, seeking safety across central Australia.
The film is heavily inspired by David Tranter’s Alyawarra family history. It features a cast led by Deborah Mailman, Thomas M. Wright, and PedreaJackson, along with Errol Shand, Joe Bird, John Howard, Aidan Du Chiem, Ferdinand Hoang, Jason Chong, and Matt Nable. Additional cast members include Luka May Glynn-Cole, Anni Finsterer, Gibson John, and Natassia Gorey Furber. Warwick Thornton’s connection to the story runs deep, with the director noting,
The story of David Tranter’s family is also my family’s story. My great grandmother and her daughters worked the Hatches Creek mines for whitefellas. Now a truth will come and it’s called Wolfram.
Paradise City Sales describes “Wolfram” as a blend of western and survival genres, emphasizing not only thrilling and tense sequences, but also highlighting family, companionship, and solidarity in challenging circumstances. The company praised Warwick Thornton’s directorial vision, saying his
personal connection to the story and his remarkable eye promise a film that will be as entertaining as it is visually stunning.
This collaboration comes after the impactful response to “Sweet Country,” with producers David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin reflecting,
The truth-telling legacy of ‘Sweet Country’ had a profound impact on audiences all around the world, and we cannot wait to tell more of this family’s frontier experiences.
Their expectation is that Warwick Thornton’s direction will bring psychological depth to the characters first written by Tranter and Stephen McGregor.
Production for “Wolfram” continues the partnership between Tranter and writer Steven McGregor, who also worked together on “Sweet Country.” The film is produced by David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin of Bunya Productions, with co-producers Drew Bailey and David Tranter involved. Executive production credits go to Cecilia Ritchie and Kurt Royen. Warwick Thornton ensures a sense of continuity by involving much of the original creative team from “Sweet Country,” including editor Nick Meyers, casting director Anousha Zarkesh, and production designer Michael Leon. The fictional town of Henry—known from the first film—again serves as the story’s pivotal setting, with the production working closely alongside the Arrernte Traditional Owners, led by elder Theresa Ellis, to maintain authenticity and respect for the region’s cultural context.
Supporting the film are Screen Australia, Screen Territory, and National Indigenous Television, with additional backing from Screen NSW and the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund. Dark Matter will handle Australian distribution of the finished film, and post-production effects are supported by Screen NSW. Warwick Thornton’s past work includes the Cannes Un Certain Regard entry “The New Boy,” starring Cate Blanchett, as well as “Samson and Delilah,” which won the Cannes Caméra d’Or prize, demonstrating his established reputation as a storyteller of international acclaim.
By joining the Paradise City Sales lineup ahead of Cannes, “Wolfram” is positioned to garner significant attention in the global market. The slate also includes films like Pedro Pinho’s
I Only Rest in the Storm,
bound for the Un Certain Regard section, and “Unidentified” by Haifaa Al-Mansour, which is nearing completion. Warwick Thornton’s return to the themes and lands of “Sweet Country” in “Wolfram” suggests not only a personal journey for the filmmaker, but also a notable event for audiences seeking powerful cinematic experiences rooted in Australia’s history. With its blend of compelling storytelling, intricate visual style, and cultural resonance, “Wolfram” stands poised to make a strong impression at Cannes and beyond.
As
Wolfram: A Sequel to Sweet Country
continues production, anticipation is building both among fans of Warwick Thornton’s work and within the global film industry. The film’s engagement with local communities, its commitment to truthful storytelling, and its international platform are expected to spotlight the enduring relevance of colonial histories and amplify Indigenous voices. Warwick Thornton’s latest project may well solidify his position as a key figure in contemporary cinema, while providing audiences with a visually rich, emotionally resonant, and deeply meaningful narrative.
