1500 Steps is a transforming journey towards self-belief and brilliance. A cross between Chariots of Fire and The Karate Kid, this high school drama is set in the beautiful, Sydney, beach suburb of Cronulla. Jonas "Jobe" O'Brien, a homely, sixteen year old boy, lives in a struggling single parent family. His mother dead, his father is an alcoholic, who was once a champion runner. Jobe, a misfit and loner, has inherited his father's athletic ability and love for running. After a fatal mistake at a party, Jobe seeks revenge against the perpetrator, as an emotion and power wells within him that he has never experienced before. A retired ex-Olympian, Harry White, sets about mentoring his athletic ability when by chance he sees Jobe run. It is now up to Harry White to encourage Jobe to dig deep and decide what type of man he wants to become.
Acting
Alex Fechine's raw, unpolished vulnerability as Jobe
Cinematography
Cronulla coastline as emotional landscape, not backdrop
Writing
Harry White's mentorship scenes hit surprisingly hard
Director
Josh Reid
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Josh Reid shot this around his native Cronulla with a micro-budget and local talent, making the beach scenes essentially free production value.
Marketed heavily in Australian church youth groups as 'Chariots of Fire for Gen Z,' which explains the 5.5 rating — secular audiences found the faith elements clunky, while religious viewers wanted more explicit sermonizing.
AU
