In 2016, a man was left bleeding from the head after white supremacists terrorised Melbourne’s Halal festival.
The brutal event has formed the basis of TV streaming service Stan’s six-part sequel to Romper Stomper – the 1992 film that made Russell Crowe a star.
The chilling first trailer for the series teases a potential star turn for up-and-coming actor Toby Wallace, who’ll play a spiritual successor to Russell’s Neo-Nazi Hando.
Romper Stomper: The 2016 attack by white nationalists at Melbourne’s Halal festival forms the basis of Stan’s sequel to Romper Stomper – the 1992 film that made Russell Crowe a star
Released at the Screen Forever conference on Thursday, the clip promised to bring the themes of social uprising from the original into a modern context.
In it, militant anti-fascist group Antifa are seen attempting to recruit a young Muslim woman to help oppose anti-Islamic group Patriot Blue.
Meanwhile, Blake, the head of Patriot Blue (played by Lachy Hulme), successfully recruits Toby Wallace’s Kane to plot the festival clash.
New star is born: The chilling first trailer for the series teases a potential star turn for up-and-coming actor Toby Wallace (L) who’ll play a spiritual successor to Russell’s Neo-Nazi Hando (R)
‘We’re going to show them why we call ourselves patriots,’ Blake says at a Blue Patriot planning meeting.
‘This is our land, we are not afraid,’ he continues, his words are heard over the top of footage from the violent Halal festival clash.
With Australian flags and megaphones in tow, Blake and the gang run riot on the festival, as under-prepared police officers try to protect innocent attendees.
Antifa: In the trailer, militant anti-fascist group Antifa are seen attempting to recruit a young Muslim woman to help oppose white nationalist group Patriot Blue
They eventually come to blows with equally violent Antifa, who wear black balaclavas to mask their identity.
Suddenly, Patriot Blue gun shots ring out over the festival grounds, terrified screams are heard and bloodied victims seen.
Newest recruit: Meanwhile, Blake, the head of the anti-Muslim group (played by Lachy Hulme), successfully recruits Toby Wallace’s Kane to plot the festival clash
Kane appears to command a makeshift army near the end of the clip.
‘We’re the law and we’re the order,’ he screams, ‘Because there’s no-one else. Just us.’
The grizzly clip ends with a close-up of Kane, teary and scared, with a knife being held to his neck.
Brawl: With Australian flags and megaphones in tow, Blake and the gang run riot on the festival, as under-prepared police officers try to protect innocent attendees
Speaking at the Screen Forever conference, Stan boss Mike Sneesby defended the controversial subject matter.
‘There have been questions about why Stan is doing this show, it [white extremism] doesn’t deserve a platform…’
Shots fired: Suddenly, Patriot Blue gun shots ring out over the festival grounds, alongside footage terrified screams and bloodied victims
Blurred lines: Even images from the trailer (Lachy Hulme as Patriot Blue Leader, left), mirror scenes from the real 2016 event
‘But the reality is if you go out there into middle Australia, you can absolutely see a world where people get roped into it.’
‘For us to lay it all out in context, and show what happens, is important. If we cop flak for it, so be it.’
All six episodes of Romper Stomper will be released January 1, 2018 on Stan.
‘If we cop flak, so be it’: ‘For us to lay it all out in context, and show what happens, is important. If we cop flak for it, so be it,’ Stan boss Mike Sneesby has said of the series
New Years Day: All six episodes of Romper Stomper will be released January 1, 2018 on Stan