NEED TO KNOW
- Abbie Cornish and Alyla Browne are starring in a new family movie, Whale Shark Jack.
- Filmed in Western Australia, the movie is a tribute to the Nyinggulu Coast.
- Actress Alyla tells us that they filmed with real whale sharks – and she’s now taken up free diving as a hobby.
Actresses Abbie Cornish and Alyla Browne have teamed up for Australia’s newest – and sweetest – family movie, Whale Shark Jack.
The heartwarming story follows 12-year-old Sarah, who lives on a boat with her parents while they research whale sharks.
Without the presence of other children around, she makes friends with a rescued whale shark pup – naming him Jack.
Following a tragic accident, mum Nita (Abbie Cornish) and Sarah move to the stunning coastal town of Exmouth in Western Australia.
Sarah has high hopes he will migrate back to Exmouth – but when he fails to return, she embarks on a risky mission to find him.
Sitting down with New Idea, Abbie, 43, tells us that “the film is about us connecting to our land, our continent. It’s about connecting to our people. It’s about connecting to what we know, what we don’t know. It’s about connecting to life, what’s above sea and underneath. And I think that’s the thing that resonated most with me.”
Abbie, 43, and Alyla, 16, tell us that they loved working on the film together, saying one of the best parts of the job was taking dips in the ocean after big film days.
Talk about work perks!
Alyla tells us that filming in Exmouth made her realise it was her “favourite place on earth”.
“It’s so special. And if anybody watching this film is inspired to go to Exmouth and swim with whale sharks, then that’s my job done well and I’ll be happy,” she says with a smile.
But, although there is such beauty in nature, the pair tell me it wasn’t all peachy!
“There were some small minor challenges such as jellyfish and sea lice. But apart from those, which could be a bit painful at times, it was so insane to film in and around that water,” Alyla says.
Jack’s name was inspired by a real whale shark the production crew captured on film – who seemed to be unfazed by the cameras.
“After the shoot, the Ningaloo Discovery team, in collaboration with the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, named the young whale shark after “Jack,” a fitting tribute that now links the real-life whale shark forever to the film,” the press release reads.
And – funnily enough, Alyla reveals that Abbie didn’t know what whale sharks were before filming!
“I really hope that this can lead to more awareness of the animals, and I hope that we can introduce this insane animal to more people,” Alyla says.
Alyla had such a thrilling time that she’s now taken up diving as a hobby, telling us that “it’s such a peaceful, serene, and almost out-of-body experience to be underwater”.
“I’m so grateful that it is a bigger part of my life now because it is such a special thing. I’m also grateful that I have these massive fins – I can go so quickly underwater, it’s insane! I can explore the whole ocean in only a matter of seconds,” the actress says with a smile.
“It really is such a big part of my life now, I go out free diving when I can – but nothing will be as special as Exmouth,” she adds.
Catch Whale Shark Jack on Stan now.
