J E S S I E
To claim her destiny as a circus star, Jessie must conquer the impassable mountains and confront the law, the mob who seek revenge... and her own personal demons.
Set in the magnificent Upper Hunter Valley in 1921, Jessie tells the extraordinary true story of Jessie Payne, child circus star and outlaw. After being released from jail on a bond, she endures terrible abuse at the hands of Fitz, her cattle rustling boss. Her only hope of gaining her freedom is to confront the impassable mountain range, but in doing so she must face her own personal demons and learn to accept love.
Hunter Valley 1921.
Daredevil young circus star, Jessie Payne, dreams of joining the Greatest Show on Earth. She falls from grace after stealing a horse and serves time bonded as a domestic to Fitzgerald 'Fitz' Henry on a remote cattle farm.
When she breaks a wild horse, revealing an incredible affinity to animals and horse-breaking skills, Fitz is attracted, but his courtship turns to rape when she rejects him. Ashamed, he leaves Jessie alone.
Despite discovering she is pregnant, Jessie decides to see out her bond. She finds solace in her friendship with handsome Aboriginal stock worker, Jack. Kindred spirits, they share a love of magic and the circus. Jessie reveals she is funny and whip smart. Jack loves her spirit and her grace.
Fitz isn’t used to rejection and his anger simmers. He tries again to woo her. Jessie makes it clear she has other plans. A struggle ensues and she kills him in self-defence while protecting her unborn child. Jessie escapes into mountains on her beloved horse, Houdini, determined to cross over to the port of Newcastle and jump a ship to America.
Fitz's volatile young son, Lyall, pursues Jessie bent on revenge. Meanwhile, cop Barlow, an ex-soldier with a dark secret, sets off to bring Jessie in. Despite his mistrust of the law, Jack decides to help Barlow realising he must find Jessie before Lyall does.
Using all her daring and skills, the mountain wilderness proves formidable and Jessie loses her premature baby. Heartbroken, she keeps riding, higher and higher, trying to find a way to cross. Below her, Jack uses his expert bushcraft to keep apace with Lyall, while he and Barlow connect in an unexpected way, when Jack learns Barlow’s secret.
Jessie is desperate for water. Lost and wandering, she encounters a group of Aboriginal women, Alice, Rose and Molly, who offer to help her. She learns they have rescued their children from a mission. Jessie is moved by their courage. When she helps save one of their babies, her grief of losing her own child surfaces, and her emotional healing begins.
An idyllic time follows as Jessie travels with the family, experiencing the landscape through their eyes as a place of beauty and wonder. They take her through a hidden valley before parting. Jessie feels a surge of hope when she sees the glimmering lights of Newcastle.
She thinks she has lost her pursuers, but Lyall ambushes her. Barlow saves her, only to arrest her, but he doesn’t count on Jack’s loyalty to Jessie.
As with all magic, the hand is faster than the eye, and Jack gives Jessie a playful message only she can understand. Barlow is outwitted, and Jessie triumphant as she escapes, Houdini-like, to fulfill her circus dream.
Screen test and short film set in the world of Jessie
The Story of Lee Ping
Set in the rural backlots of 1920s Australia - no place for a women - “The Story of Lee Ping” is a tale of a young Chinese woman, an imprisoned erotic dancer who plots her freedom. Lee meets Jack an Aboriginal farm hand who changes the way she sees herself forever.
Credits
Jasmin Tarasin
Director
Polly Watkins
Writer
Lucy Maclaren
Producer