Mint Pictures is in production with a new five-part series hosted by Rachel Griffiths (‘Finding The Archibald’, ‘Great Southern Landscapes’).
‘When The War Is Over’ (working title) reveals how art and popular culture have helped change Australians’ attitudes to our five major wars: WWI, WII, Vietnam, Afghanistan and the Frontier Wars.
Through iconic music hits and blockbuster movies, best-selling novels, confronting canvases and ancient rock art, Rachel reveals the unheralded role of art, both in the midst of battle and for the generations that follow.
A stellar cast of artists and creatives, experts, veterans and their loved ones tell the stories behind artworks so powerful that they have created national memory; helped POWs survive; bridged gulfs of understanding; and given us a language when words were not enough.
From Gallipoli to Vietnam, ‘When The War Is Over’ is a globe-trotting series laced with a rich seam of archive, a powerful original score and a unique take on wars fought both overseas and on Australian soil.
In short, Rachel, a descendant of WWI veterans at Gallipoli, is putting the power of art to the ultimate test – one artwork, and one war, at a time.
Scheduled to air on the ABC later in 2025, it is being directed by Sophie Meyrick, produced by Ili Bare and executive produced by Rachel Griffiths, Dan Goldberg and Craig Graham. Daniel King is directing the Frontier Wars episode, with Caden Pearson as director’s attachment. ABC’;s executive producer is Rachel Robinson and Head of Arts is Kath Earle.
The series is funded by ABC and Screen Australia, and is being distributed by ABC Commercial. It was developed by ABC in association with Screen NSW.
