Filming has commenced at Melbourne’s Docklands Studios for The Whistleblower – the largest Australian/Chinese official co-production in Victoria’s history.

The high-profile production features a stellar cast and crew including Co-producers Bill Kong (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, House of Flying Daggers) and Greg Basser (Concussion, Goosebumps and Chinese productions Cold Wall II, Rise of the Legend), Director Xue Xiaolu (Together) and lead actor Jiayin Lei (Guns and Roses, Brotherhood of Blades II).

Photo credit: Narelle Portanier

The Whistleblower is centred around Mark Ma, a Chinese expat working in Australia for a local company who discovers that the new technology developed by the company he works for may have tremendous safety concerns.

The production will showcase Victoria’s versatile locations, with filming to take place in the cities of Melbourne and Geelong. Additional locations include Dandenong, Footscray, Werribee and the Latrobe Valley, at the de-commissioned Hazelwood Power station. The region can expect significant flow-on tourism benefits through the accommodation of more than 250 film crew over a two week regional shoot.

Bringing this production to Victoria builds on the State Government’s productive economic and cultural ties with China which is Australia’s largest trading partner. The Whistleblower is expected to spend more than $40 million in Victoria’s economy as it films in Docklands Studios’ largest sound stage and in locations across Victoria. The production will also increase trade for over 800 Victorian businesses with 220 employment opportunities created for local screen workers.

To celebrate the official commencement of filming of The Whistleblower Film Victoria and Screen Australia hosted a special event at Docklands Studios Melbourne, with a traditional smoking ceremony followed by a press conference attended by Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley, Film Victoria CEO Caroline Pitcher, Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason and key members of cast and crew.

“It’s been an honour to be in Melbourne. We’re very happy to be here and shooting this film. This is one of the best crews I’ve ever worked with”. – Bill Kong

The Whistleblower films at Docklands Studios Melbourne studios and various locations around Victoria between June and October 2018.

The Whistleblower was supported through Film Victoria’s Production Incentive Attraction Fund (PIAF) and Production Incentive Attraction Fund – Post Production, Digital and Visual Effects (PIAF–PDV).

For more information on Victoria’s filming locations and production incentives contact:

Joe Brinkmann
Manager – Incentives and Investments
[email protected]
www.film.vic.gov.au