TWO Australian filmmakers are planning to bring the life of policeman Michael Kennedy to the silver screen.
Director Darren K Hawkins and screenwriter Sara Elizabeth Joyce spent four days in Mansfield over the Easter break in preparation for their feature film script titled Michael.
The film will chronicle the life of Sergeant Michael Kennedy, the policeman shot by infamous bushranger Ned Kelly at Stringybark Creek, a tale firmly embedded in Australian folklore.
Sara was incredibly excited to "bring this piece of Australian history to life".
"When I was brought on board to write the feature script based on the short film, I wanted to write a love story between Michael and Bridgette Kennedy," she explained.
"I wanted to tell their incredible journey to Australia from the potato famine in Ireland and how they built up their lives and gained so much respect from the people in their journey which ended up in Mansfield.
"The more research I've done into their lives, as well as the Kelly side, the more incredible the story has become."
With over a decade of filmmaking experience, Darren has worked as an actor and director on several independent films.
Sara's producing credentials are also extensive, having worked on numerous Hollywood productions including Star Wars, The Matrix, and Gods of Egypt.
As part of their research, the filmmaking duo met with Leo Kennedy – author of Black Snake and the descendent of the film's titular character.
"Leo was thrilled that someone was willing to help tell the true story of his great grandparents," Darren said.
"He could see how serious we were in bringing justice to a piece of Australian history that has been misrepresented for 150 years."
During their time in Mansfield, Sara and Darren visited the town's police memorial and spoke with locals at the Delatite Hotel before travelling to Stringybark Creek.
Darren and Sara will travel to Ireland later this year to see Michael's childhood home and return to Victoria in November to participate in a cultural experience with Taungurung elders.
They plan to pitch the script to executives and studios at the end of this year.
