One of Australia's most iconic ballads that has its own annual day (Gravy Day on 21 December), Paul Kelly's heartwarming ode to family at Christmas – 'How To Make Gravy' – will be developed into a Christmas feature film.
The project will be adapted by Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia in partnership with Speech & Drama Pictures.Originally penned by Kelly in 1996, 'How To Make Gravy' is written from the perspective of a prisoner (Joe) writing a letter to his brother (Dan) about longing for family at Christmas.
The prospect of his song now becoming a film fills Paul with joy. "Dan and Joe and Rita and Angus and Dolly, and all the others have been stuck inside that song so long, I'm glad they're going to get a chance to live life a different way," he says.
Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia recent credits include the Aussie six-part drama 'Love Me' (starring Hugo Weaving, Bojana Novakovic) and the upcoming courtroom crime drama 'The Twelve' that features Sam Neill.
"Paul's beautiful song is the perfect recipe for a feature film," Speech & Drama Pictures' Nick Waterman (screenwriter, director) says.
"Its characters are already beloved by many who have imagined the story behind Joe's letter themselves.
"There's so much to be found in the space between what he must be feeling in prison at Christmas and what he writes in his letter to his brother. "This song holds a special place in our hearts. It's an honour to bring it to life."
