Christina (Claudia Karvan) is a school teacher from a wealthy Greek-Australian background, engaged to a lawyer and content with the traditional course of her life. She begins teaching at an inner-city working-class school and she finds her ideas challenged by the students. Involving herself in a campaign by a group of non-anglo students to form a soccer club in a school where the racist PE teacher only supports Australian Rules Football, Christina starts falling in love with aspiring soccer player, 17 year old Nick (Alex Dimitriades). The ensuing affair forces Christina to challenge herself, her family and the culture she lives in. Managing to effectively combine comedy with a refreshing examination of contemporary ethnic relationships in Australia, beautifully acted by a young cast, and insightfully scripted.
Acting
Claudia Karvan's internal conflict is absolutely devastating.
Writing
Navigates cringe comedy and genuine pathos with surprising grace.
Director
Michael Jenkins
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Alex Dimitriades was 19 playing 17; this launched his career as one of Australia's most enduring Greek-Australian actors.
The film directly references real 1990s debates about ethnic sports clubs in Australian schools, making it a time-capsule of multicultural policy tensions.
AU
