It's South Africa 1990. Two major events are about to happen: The release of Nelson Mandela and, more importantly, it's Spud Milton's first year at an elite boys only private boarding school. Spud is a boy from an ordinary background who wins a scholarship to a private school in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. Surrounded by boys with nicknames like Gecko, Rambo, Rain Man and Mad Dog, Spud has his hands full trying to adapt to his new home.
Acting
John Cleese somehow makes a drunk, failed actor teacher genuinely moving.
Writing
Voiceover that actually earns its whimsy—rare for teen comedies.
Costume
Those itchy wool uniforms deserve their own billing.
Director
Donovan Marsh
John Cleese
Mr. 'The Guv' Edly
Troye Sivan
John 'Spud' Milton
Jamie Royal
Henry 'Gecko' Barker
Sven Ruygrok
Robert 'Rambo' Black
Blessing Xaba
Sidney 'Fatty' Sibeko-Scott
Tom Burne
Vern 'Rain Man' Blackadder
Josh Goddard
Charlie 'Mad Dog' Hooper
Travis Hornsby
Alan 'Boggo' Greenstein
Byron Langley
Simon Brown
Jason Cope
Mr. 'Sparerib' Wilson
Genna Blair
Debbie 'The Mermaid'
Charlbi Dean
Amanda Lawrence
Julie Summers
Mrs Milton
Aaron McIlroy
Mr Milton
Tanit Phoenix
Mrs. 'Eve' Wilson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Troye Sivan was cast at 14 after director Donovan Marsh saw him singing on YouTube; he recorded the soundtrack single 'The Other Side' during filming.
The 'Malaria' school depicted is based on Michaelhouse, where author John van de Ruit actually attended—he started writing the novel after a former classmate's funeral reunion in 2005.
ZA
