An Australian documentary examining the deadly 1998 Sydney to Hobart yacht race will be shown at North Hobart’s State Cinema from Thursday.
TRUE SOUTH marks 80 years of the iconic race and was filmed 25 years after its darkest chapter, when six sailors lost their lives in treacherous conditions.
The film follows lifelong friends Herman Winning and Nathan and Peter Dean, whose bond was tested when tragedy struck during the 1998 race.
A violent East Coast Low generated 90-foot seas and claimed six lives, including John Dean, father to Nathan and Peter.
The documentary captures the three men’s return to the race 25 years later.
“The film is a deeply human story of family, grief, endurance and friendship,” film distributor Match Point Films said in a statement.
“The Sydney to Hobart occupies a unique place in Australian culture, with the nation following the fleet’s journey through Bass Strait each year.”
They said the waterway is considered “one of the world’s most treacherous, where changing weather can turn elite competition into a survival battle”.
Dave Klaiber directed the project, while Will Alexander from independent studio Heckler created and produced the film.
The distributor says Alexander’s lifelong friendship with both families earned him their trust to tell their deeply personal story.
The documentary is narrated by Sigrid Thornton AO, with an original score by Elena Kats-Chernin AO.
