New feature film will begin shooting at Old Tailem Town in May

Murray Bridge Players and Singers will have the chance to volunteer as extras in a film at Old Tailem Town this May.

Liana Webster

Apr 11, 2025 — 3 min read

Director Matthew Holmes is coming back to Old Tailem Town, 20 years after shooting his debut feature film in the same location. Photo: Matthew Holmes.

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Old Tailem Town will be the set of another movie this May with the filming of a new feature film, The Sundowner.

The pioneer village located just outside of Tailem Bend, will be host to a full day of filming on May 1, with Murray Bridge's own Players and Singers members invited to play extras.

The Sundowner is set in 1934, telling the story of a swagman who becomes embroiled in some bad events and ends up becoming a fugitive from the law.

This isn't the first time that Adelaide director and producer Matthew Holmes has used Old Tailem Town as a set that transports you back in time.

In 2002 he produced and directed his first feature, Twin Rivers, in which Players and Singers life members Chris and Ken Melville volunteered as extras.

Now more than 20 years later they're keen to be part of another film: "it's intriguing watching how things are done that's not real," Ms Melville said.

As extras they had to pretend to window shop, or tell off a school kid, Mr Melville even had to argue with a shop keeper over tobacco prices.

"Two or three of our members did get small roles in (Twin Rivers)," Ms Melville said.

Old Tailem Town was used to film *Twin Rivers* in 2002, with Ken Melville playing a swagman arguing about tobacco. Photos: Matthew Holmes.

Mr Holmes said both Old Tailem Town and the Players and Singers group were a vital part of his first film.

"Having both involved again for my fifth film is a real honour,” he said.

“It’s great to have come full circle, 20 years later, filming back at Old Tailem Town and working with old friends once again."

The shoot will also include vintage vehicles provided by local collectors, some of whom were also involved in the 2002 production.

Director Matthew Holmes is on the lookout for cars made before 1934. Photo: Matthew Holmes.

“I’ve spent the past 15 years making films in Victoria, but returning to South Australia has been a joy," he said.

"I love making movies in this state – the locations and the people are just wonderful.

"It’s like slipping back into a comfortable old pair of shoes.”

Although volunteer roles are only open to the Players and Singers group, Mr Holmes is looking for owners of vehicles made before 1934 to volunteer their cars for the film.