Jordon Prince-Wright brings found history to life with his immersive WWI drama, Before Dawn.
Synopsis: After leaving his family’s sheep farm in the Australian outback, a young man joins his countrymen on the western front of World War I with hopes of helping expedite an end to the bloody conflict. But as war rages on, he is forced to grapple with the brutal realities of trench warfare, including a near-constant battle to keep himself alive—without leaving another man behind.
Before Dawn is directed by Jordon and written by Jarrad Russell. The film is based on the story and characters by Jordon and Jarrad.
The film stars Levi Miller, Travis Jeffery, Myles Pollard, Tim Franklin, Jordan Dulieu, and introduces Peter Sullivan, with Ed Oxenbould and Stephen Peacocke.
Check out our interview with Jordon:
Director’s Statement:
Creating Before Dawn was a truly immersive journey, characterized by a profound labour of love that demanded unwavering dedication, creativity, and determination. This cinematic venture was sparked by the discovery of compelling diary entries from our ANZACs during my high school years, revealing untold stories from the Western Front. The realization that these narratives were unknown to many ignited a passionate drive to bring these stories to life on the silver screen.
My deep-rooted fascination with history led me to recognize the significance embedded in these diaries. The conviction that “they must be told” became the guiding principle behind Before Dawn. The film portrays pivotal events including the Hindenburg Line and Messines Ridge. These battles marked crucial junctures in the war, and “Before Dawn” aims to weave the individual stories within this broader historical tapestry, offering a nuanced perspective on the experiences of those who lived through horror of the Western Front.
In bringing one of Australia’s greatest military victories to the screen through the eyes of individual soldiers, we were driven to ensure authenticity in every aspect. Practical effects, filming in actual rain, and the use of pyrotechnics were employed to enhance the realism of the captured scenes. The recreation of the Hindenburg Line barrage involved a multi-million-dollar sponsored effort. Witnessing the sets being built, with thousands of sandbags and kilometres of trench networks, was a rewarding part of pre-production. All with the aim of placing the audience in the trenches with the diggers.
Before Dawn is fundamentally about family, mateship, and redemption. Reflecting on the project’s inception in 2019, the collaborative effort from pre-production to post-production has been nothing short of remarkable. The exceptional team’s hard work and dedication, from the talented cast to the entire crew, have resulted in a production that I am incredibly proud of. This journey has brought us all together, forging close bonds and navigating the ups and downs of production to create a film that I can only hope our diggers will be proud of too.
– Jordon Prince-Wright, S.P.A
