Filming on South Solitary has just completed at the locations of Cape Nelson, Portland and Cape Otway. The film is written and directed by Shirley Barret (Love My Way, Love Serenade) the story follows Meredith (Miranda Otto), a 35 year old unmarried woman who arrives at a remote lighthouse island in 1928 with her uncle and new lighthouse keeper (Barry Otto).
Bad weather and misadventure leave her marooned with her only companion the sullen and withdrawn assistant keeper Fleet, played by Marton Csokas (Romulus, my father). A tender faltering courtship ensues.
Along with the keepers on the island lived several animals, including the loft of pigeons that were heavily depended on for messaging to and from the island. Scenes in the film required actors to release pigeons and shots of them flying away. This was all achieved thanks to local pigeon breeders Tim Robinson, Mal Sartori, Peter Cuttler and Mark Grisslis. The knowledge of these local breeders and the talented amazing birds they keep were imperative to shooting these particular scenes.
Photo supplied by Macgowan films, ‘Nettie’ played by actress Annie Martin, releasing local pigeons.