Hi everyone. Thank for clicking or downloading on todays episode of TV Reload with Troy Lum. We will be talking about Boy Swallows Universe which is out now on Netflix.

This Australian drama series for Netflix has an all-star Australian cast, stunning cinematography, an ’80s period setting that feels modern, and a fast-paced story that’s deadly serious but full of love, hope and humour. 

An epic coming-of-age story set in 1980s Brisbane that blends the magic and innocence of youth with the brutal reality of the adult world. A lost father, a mute brother, a recovering addict mum, a heroin dealer for a stepfather, and a notorious criminal for a babysitter. 

Adapted from Trent Dalton’s iconic Australian novel, Boy Swallows Universe explores the crossroads where a boy becomes a man, good toys with evil, and the everyday meets the extraordinary.

Today’s guest Troy Lum’s film career started in distribution and exhibition at Dendy Films in the late 1990s and while there he acquired and released some of the biggest independent movies in history including The Blair Witch Project and Amelie. At the age of 27, he launched Hopscotch Films alongside Sandy Don and Frank Cox. The independent distribution company’s many successful titles included Pan’s Labyrinth, Fahrenheit 911, The Sapphires, Spotlight and La La Land. 

Lum shares the role of  series and executive producer title with colleague Andrew Mason and with the massive success around the world I think we will continue to see plenty more collaborations with the two.

There is a lot to unpack with Troy, what drew him to this project, how they capture the tremendous performances from their young actors,  What techniques they used to balance out the bleak at times overtones with music and cinematography. 

I will ask about the possibility to continue their relationship with author Trent and what their relationship was like and if there was a lot of pressure having the author on set. 

Anyway, let’s bring Troy into the podcast, so sit back and relax as we dive just that little bit deeper into the world of Australian television. 

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