Old Tailem Town’s reputation grows as a backdrop for historic films
Another South Australian movie, Dear Aine, is being shot at Tailem Bend this month.
This story is now free to read. Help Murray Bridge News tell more stories like this by subscribing today.
An independent South Australian film inspired by the Irish potato famine is being filmed at Old Tailem Town, with filmmakers praising the historic attraction as one of the state’s most authentic period locations.
The production, Dear Aine, will tell the story of an Irish family affected by the Great Famine, known in Ireland as An Gorta Mór, and follow their journey through the hardships of the 1840s and migration of the 1850s.
Filming is taking place this month, with the project supported through funding from Country Arts SA.
Creator and costume designer Tiarna Lehmann, originally from Waikerie and now based in Adelaide, said the idea for the film had grown from her interest in Irish migration history.
She worked alongside producer Ekkia Evans and director Jordan Ellis to bring the project to life.
Lehman said Old Tailem Town was chosen because many of its buildings closely resembled the simple dwellings and rural structures that existed during the period depicted in the film.
“It’s a beautiful location,” Ms Lehmann said.
“The different houses built from different materials make it feel very authentic for the time.”
Known for her work as a makeup artist on productions including Dragon’s Breath and Piyako, Ms Lehmann also designed and created costumes for Dear Aine, including garments worn by several young cast members.
She hoped the completed film would be screened at film festivals and help share the story of Irish migration with wider audiences.
On set are cast and crew members including, right, Jordan Ellis, Tiarna Lehmann and Ekkia Evans. Photos: Glenn Power.
For Old Tailem Town, the production highlights the unique value of the historic village as a living window into the past, providing filmmakers with an authentic setting that is increasingly difficult to find elsewhere in Australia.
Leading the cast is actress Jessica Burgess, who plays Ainie, the central character in the film.
Burgess has enjoyed an exceptionally busy year, appearing in around seven productions while juggling a demanding filming schedule.
She recently completed work on The World Itself, a science-fiction film in which she plays an anthropologist studying androids.
She is also currently filming Rex, a horror production, and later this year will begin shooting Behind the Mask, which is set to be filmed in the Flinders Ranges.
Earlier in the year, Burgess appeared in Love Naturally, Lavender Bed, and Australian Lovers, a feature film being shot entirely in black and white.
Despite the hectic schedule, she remained enthusiastic about the opportunities South Australian independent filmmaking continued to provide.
With its combination of historical authenticity, local talent and South Australian locations, Dear Aine will showcase both the state’s growing film industry and the enduring appeal of Old Tailem Town as a unique setting for stories from the past.
The latest shoot is the second at Old Tailem Town in as many months, following a visit from the crew producing The Sundowner last month.
Correction: Several names have been updated since this story was first published.
