RAMS – Directed by Jeremy Sims

RAMS (2019), A Feature Film

RAMS Leaps into Production as Cast are Announced

Screenwest
Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Produced by dynamic production company WBMC, filming commenced this week on feature film RAMS in Western Australia’s Great Southern region.

About RAMS

An English-language adaptation of the successful Icelandic film HRÚTAR, winner of the 2015 Un Certain Regard Award at Cannes Film Festival, RAMS tells the story of two estranged brothers on adjoining sheep farms who haven’t spoken to each other in 40 years.

When a rare disease threatens their sheep, the brothers must find a way to work together to save their flock, their small town and their family’s legacy.

Far from a ‘remake’, RAMS is a fresh interpretation of the original film and will give a universal story a distinctly Australian context.

Cast

Starring Sam Neill (JURASSIC PARK, HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE, SWEET COUNTRY) and Michael Caton (THE CASTLE, THE ANIMAL, LAST CAB TO DARWIN), as the two feuding brothers, RAMS will be helmed by director Jeremy Sims, working once again with Caton after their success on LAST CAB TO DARWIN.

The film also stars:

• Wayne Blair (BLACK COMEDY, MYSTERY ROAD, TIM WINTON’S THE TURNING and director of THE SAPPHIRES)
• Leon Ford (THE LETDOWN, THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS, RUBEN GUTHRIE)
• Travis McMahon (CACTUS, MISS FISHER’S MURDER MYSTERIES and BIRTHDAY)
• Asher Keddie (OFFSPRING, X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, LOVE MY WAY)
• Hayley McElhinney (THE BABADOOK, DOCTOR DOCTOR)
• Kipan Rothbury (SACRED HEART)
• Perth based newcomers, 17-year old Asher Yasbincek and WAAPA’s Will McNeill.

WA Adaptation

RAMS has been adapted by Western Australian screenwriter Jules Duncan and produced by Janelle Landers and Aidan O’Bryan from WBMC.

Said director Jeremy Sims, “I am excited to have the chance to take this elegant and powerful tale and set it in the place that I spent my summers growing up.

“This is a story about family, connected through land and community, and the relationships at the heart of those communities.

“Regional WA is a vast and complex place, and the Great Southern has such a unique flavour that audiences deserve to see it on the big screen.

“It is of course a privilege to work again with Michael Caton, and Sam Neill is one of my favourite actors and a legend of world cinema. I can’t wait to bring them together and see what happens.”

Sally Caplan, Head of Production at Screen Australia said, “Jeremy Sims last collaborated with Michael Caton on the 2015’s stunning feature LAST CAB TO DARWIN, evoking from this beloved actor a powerful performance that translated exceptionally well at the box office.

“I look forward to seeing the pair reunite with the dynamic Sam Neill added to this mix. Jules Duncan has given this story a uniquely Australian tone and we are confident this colourful and comedic film will resonate with audiences both in Australia and globally.”

Roadshow co-CEO, Joel Pearlmann said, “We are thrilled to be working alongside such a talented team and with Jeremy at the helm; RAMS will be unique in a way that Australians will love.

“The cast are fantastic and the natural landscapes of the Great Southern exemplify our relationship to the land and our community spirit, making it the perfect setting for this heart-warming tale to be told.”

Screenwest Interim CEO Peter Rowe said, “We are thrilled that RAMS is being made here in WA with such incredible global talent.

“When it was first presented to us we recognised the film’s ambition and vision and knew the story would further resonate when told using the stunning Porongurup mountain range as a backdrop.”

Shooting commenced on Monday, 1 October 2018 in Mount Barker and surrounding areas in Western Australia’s Great Southern region.

RAMS has received major production investment from Screen Australia, Screenwest and the Western Australian Regional Film Fund.

Roadshow Films will distribute throughout Australia and New Zealand with worldwide sales through WestEnd Films.

About WBMC

WBMC is a creative production company lead by Janelle Landers and Aidan O’Bryan.

With offices in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, WBMC produces feature films, television and cutting-edge interactive content.

Previous work includes:

• Julius Avery’s debut feature SON OF A GUN starring Ewan McGregor, Brenton Thwaites and Alicia Vikander;
• interactive sports sitcom FOUR QUARTERS;
• and Hal Hartley’s NED RIFLE staring Poker Posey, Aubrey Plaza and James Urbaniak.

Other notable productions include WASTED ON THE YOUNG, acquired by Paramount Pictures, and feature rockumentary SOMETHING IN THE WATER and Ben C. Lucas’ highly anticipated sophomore feature OTHERLIFE, written by Kelley Eskridge.