A Story Close to Home
After two decades as a star in Hollywood, Simon Baker returned to his roots to direct, co-write, and co-produce his first feature film, Breath. Based on the novel by Tim Winton, the film tells a deeply personal and authentic Australian story – a key factor for Baker in his debut.
For Baker, who grew up in the coastal town of Lennox Head, Winton’s novel felt instantly familiar. He believes that for a first-time director, it is essential to work on a story they know intimately. “It’s going to help you make millions of decisions that you need to make in keeping the thing on the rails,” he says. This connection to the material gave him the confidence needed to tackle the project.
Set in the mid-70s, Breath follows two teenagers, played by newcomers Samson Coulter and Ben Spence, as they form a friendship with an enigmatic surfer (played by Baker) and his wife (Elizabeth Debicki). The film captures a pivotal coming-of-age journey against the stunning backdrop of the Australian coast.
Shooting the film’s challenging surf scenes required a dedicated approach. Baker enlisted water cinematographer Rick Rifici to work alongside cinematographer Marden Dean. The small, nimble crew used a single camera, filming on a RED at 6K to capture the raw, realistic look inspired by 70s surf photography.
The team made the most of Mother Nature’s unpredictable schedule, dropping everything to film when the conditions were right. “You can’t will these things to happen,” Baker admits, highlighting the patience and luck required to get the perfect shots.
Having previously directed episodes of The Mentalist and The Guardian, Baker found the biggest difference between TV and film was the luxury of time. TV directing felt like a “pressure cooker” with tight schedules, whereas the feature film format allowed him eight weeks of pre-production and a substantial post-production period.
This extended timeline allowed Baker to fully immerse himself in all aspects of filmmaking, from sound design to composing music. The result, he says, is a far more complete vision—a true cinematic experience. He’s now eager to “kick into the next gear with bigger scale stuff.”
