SCI-FI ON A SHOESTRING Ché Baker and Sarah Mason on Blue World Order
Blue World Order (Ché Baker & Dallas Bland, 2016) is a science fiction action-adventure set during the aftermath of a nuclear war that has annihilated the Northern Hemisphere, with the world’s remaining population controlled by a self-appointed totalitarian government using a biotech virus. The film was shot entirely in Canberra and features heavyweights Billy Zane, Bruce Spence and Jack Thompson among the cast, alongside newcomer Jake Ryan in the lead role.
I speak to Baker and producer/co-writer Sarah Mason about the benefits of dreaming big, thinking global, creatively utilising unique locales and learning from experienced mentors when making an ambitious low-budget film project a reality.
Oliver Pfeiffer: Where did the concept behind Blue World Order stem from?
Ché Baker: Initially, Dallas and I were interested in a kidnapping film concerning a father–daughter relationship. We were very aware that all the bells, whistles and effects in the world mean nothing if [the audience] doesn’t care what is happening. That led to a really tight father–daughter bond, and then a sci-fi kidnapping film.
The film deals with very pressing issues such as free will. Refreshingly, however, the arguments for and against aren’t so clear-cut in the narrative.
CB: That grew from
