Screenplay writer Andrew Anastasios is the brains behind the film The Water Diviner – which also happens to be Russell Crowe’s first foray into directing motion pictures.
The story was spawned following a letter Anastasios found in an archive referring to a father’s visit to Turkey to find out more about the story of his son and his wartime experience in Galllipoli. Crowe, who had been looking for a film to direct, was taken aback by this story and decided The Water Diviner would be the one. It’s not a war story however, explains Crowe himself, it’s the story of the relationship between a father and his son.
Crowe is currently in South Australia on location shooting this film. And not only is he the director, but he also plays the lead role of Connor, the boy’s father. The Flinders Ranges in SA have become the backdrop to the arid land of Turkey. In one scene, Connor is travelling in the company of Turkish fighters, and the train is ambushed by Greek troops.
The Water Diviner was co-written by Anastasios and Andrew Knight.
