Production begins next week in Adelaide on the feature film With or Without You, an inspirational mother-daughter story of finding love and safety from tough beginnings – inspired by lived experience from SA director Kelly Schilling. The project is being made with principal production funding from Screen Australia and South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC), and with investment from Adelaide Film Festival.
SixtyFourSixty’s Su Armstrong (Good Will Hunting, ) is producing alongside Adelaide-based producer Carolyn Johnson (, Life in Color). SixtyFourSixty’s Brian Rosen (, James and the Giant Peach) is executive producing.
Director Schilling (, ) also wrote the screenplay for With or Without You and marks her feature directing debut.
Starring Marta Dusseldorp (, ), Melina Vidler (800 Words, ) and Albert Mwangi (Tom Swift, ), With or Without You follows Chloe (Vidler), who sets out to remove her entertaining but alcoholic mother Sharon (Dusseldorp) from the claws of temptation to start new lives in an idyllic location. They find themselves on an expected road trip with mysterious West African refugee Dalu (Mwangi).
As the three embark on a trip in Chloe’s rundown wagon, misconceptions and misunderstandings lead to the realisation that facing your fears is the first step to freedom.
With all production and post-production to take place in South Australia, With or Without You will have its Australian premiere at the 2024 Adelaide Film Festival. Festival CEO and Creative Director Mat Kesting made the announcement at last night’s Closing Film event.
Local distribution will be handled by Icon Film Distribution, with LevelK looking after international sales.
Kelly Schilling, director said, “It’s a dream coming true to be working on a story that connects to me in so many ways, with such an amazing cast and crew, in the place I call home.”
Su Armstrong and Carolyn Johnson, producers said, “It’s such an honest, unique and personal story and has the power to move people in uplifting ways. We’re thrilled to be making Kelly’s debut feature in and around Adelaide.”
Grainne Brunsdon, Screen Australia Head of Content said, “As it enters production, With or Without You is set to authentically portray a story of challenge and resilience between a mother and daughter, with a uniquely South Australian voice. Kelly Schilling’s debut feature will delve into the extraordinary aspects of everyday life and offer an intimate cinematic journey on the road. Don’t miss its Australian premiere at the 2024 Adelaide Film Festival.”
Kate Croser, SAFC CEO said, “The SAFC is proud to support the development and production of this exciting new South Australian film through the SAFC Screen Production Fund and the SA Postproduction, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) Rebate. We are thrilled that this SA-owned and SA-originated production will mark the feature directing debut of talented South Australian writer/director Kelly Schilling. We are proud to support South Australian producer Carolyn Johnson in this exciting co-production with SixtyFourSixty, which will showcase South Australia’s screen industry capability alongside Adelaide’s beautiful and varied locations.”
Mat Kesting, Adelaide Film Festival CEO and Creative Director said, “The Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund has a proud history of supporting talented South Australian directors, such as Kelly Schilling, to make their first feature film and we are thrilled to be investing in With or Without You. Kelly is an incredible new talent. We look forward to presenting her film at next year’s Adelaide Film Festival and watching her career continue to rise.
Production credit: With or Without You is a SixtyFourSixty and Carolyn Johnson Films production. Produced by Su Armstrong and Carolyn Johnson. Executive Producers Brian Rosen, Jane Nice, Nicholas Cole and Marta Dusseldorp. Principal production funding from Screen Australia and South Australian Film Corporation, and with investment from Adelaide Film Festival. Icon Film Distribution looks after ANZ, with international sales by LevelK.
