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The Australian Dream (2019 film)

The Australian Dream, also known as Australian Dream, is a feature-length documentary film released in Australia in 2019. Featuring Australian Football League (AFL) player Adam Goodes, the film examines Australian Aboriginal identity and racism in modern Australia, with the sustained booing of Goodes by spectators as a starting point.

The Australian Dream
Directed byDaniel Gordon
Screenplay byStan Grant
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDylan River
Edited byMatt Wyllie
Music byCornel Wilczek
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 3 August 2019 (2019-08-03) (MIFF)
  • 22 August 2019 (2019-08-22) (Australia)
Running time
105 minutes
Countries
  • Australia
  • UK

It was written by award-winning journalist Stan Grant and directed by British director Daniel Gordon, and won the AACTA Award for best feature documentary in the 2019 series of the awards.

Synopsis edit

Background edit

Goodes, an Aboriginal Australian of Adnyamathanha and Narungga heritage,[1] was drafted by the Sydney Swans in the 1997 AFL Draft and went on to have a successful career with the Swans, being awarded a number of accolades for his performance including the AFL Rising Star award in 1999,[2] the Brownlow Medal (2003 and 2006),[3] the Bob Skilton Medal (2003, 2006 and 2011),[4] and All Australian selection (2003, 2006, 2009 and 2011).[5] In 2014 he was named Australian of the Year in recognition of his community work supporting Indigenous Australian youth, the efforts of the Go Foundation (co-founded with his Sydney Swans teammate Michael O'Loughlin), and his efforts to combat racism.[6]

On 24 May 2013, during the AFL's annual Indigenous Round (the Sir Doug Nicholls Round), a 13-year-old Collingwood supporter called Goodes an "ape". Upon hearing the abuse, Goodes pointed the girl out to security, who ejected her from the stadium.[7] Goodes was deeply affected by the incident, but said repeatedly that the girl should not be blamed; the environment that she grew up in had shaped her response. The girl phoned to apologise, saying that she hadn't realised the impact of her words.[8]

Over the following years, and particularly in 2015, Goodes was repeatedly and loudly booed by opposition fans at most matches. The motivation for, and acceptability of, the booing generated wide public debate, which dominated media coverage from both sports and political commentators for weeks at a time.[9][10][11]

During a match against Carlton in May 2015, again during the Indigenous Round, Goodes celebrated a goal by performing an Aboriginal war dance, in which he mimed throwing a spear in the direction of the Carlton cheer squad. Goodes said after the incident that the dance was based on one he learned from under-16s Indigenous team the Flying Boomerangs, and that it was intended as an expression of Indigenous pride during Indigenous Round, not as a means of offending or intimidating the crowd.[12] The booing of Goodes intensified in the months after the war dance. Goodes took indefinite leave from the game in August of the 2015 season.[9] Many clubs and players in the AFL supported Goodes in the week of his leave.[13] He returned the following week and played for the remainder of the season after an outpouring of support from fans, actors, politicians, celebrities and teammates, including two spontaneous standing ovations.[14][15][16][17]

Goodes retired from AFL in September 2015.[18] He did not attend the Grand Final, where retiring players traditionally take part in a parade, one of only a handful of players to decline this invitation since the parade for retiring players was established.[19][20]

The film edit

The Australian Dream tells the story of Goodes' life, from before he became a professional footballer through to his later career as an activist for Indigenous rights in Australia. It includes archival footage of as well as recent interviews with a range of Australians, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous people – politicians, sportspeople, politicians, media commentators and Grant himself.[1]

With Grant commenting on or explaining each segment of the film, it is only at the end that the title is explained, when it includes his 2016 address at the 2019 IQ2 debate, which went viral. In it, he delivers a powerful message about how discrimination and colonisation are the base on which the “Australian dream” is built.[21][22][23]

Cast edit

All as themselves:[1]

Themes edit

The film looks broadly at the part played by race and identity in Australian history and today's society.[1] It questions "what it means to be Australian" and "If the Australian Dream is rooted in racism, what can be done to redefine it for the next generation?".[24]

Production edit

The Australian Dream was written by the Aboriginal Australian journalist Stan Grant, and directed by British director Daniel Gordon.[22][25] The person at the centre of the themes explored in the film, footballer Adam Goodes, participated in the making of the film, as did most of the rest of the cast.[21]

It was co-created by British production company Passion Pictures and local outfit Good Thing Productions, with funding from the Australian Government, Screen Australia and Film Victoria.[26]

Release edit

The film had its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) on 3 August 2019,[1] and was released in Australian cinemas on 22 August 2019.[27][28]

It was also presented at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, Toronto (TIFF 2019) (5 to 15 September 2019), Telluride Film Festival (31 September–2 October 2019), BFI London (2–13 October 2019), International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (November 2019) and the Palm Springs Film Festival (7 January 2020).[29]

It was shown on ABC TV in Australia on 23 February 2020, and is available online for Australian audiences as well as on the streaming service Kayo.[30][31]

Critical response edit

The film was among the best-reviewed, most-publicised Australian films of 2019.[32]

The film's website cites five-star ratings by the Herald Sun and Student Edge, and four and a half from The Age and Switch.[24]

The Guardian gives the film four stars. Like several other reviewers, it makes mention of the other 2019 documentary film on the same topic, The Final Quarter, saying that commentators Andrew Bolt and Eddie McGuire get more screen time in The Australian Dream, giving them a platform they do not deserve to justify their contrary views, but overall "it speaks loudly and articulately" on an important topic.[21]

InDaily called it "a brilliant exploration of racism in this country", and a "more comprehensive analysis" of the treatment of Goodes than The Final Quarter. Regarding it as essential viewing for all Australians, the reviewer says that the Indigenous voices in the film are not trying to divide Australia, but rather "seeking unity and reconciliation through truth and respect".[28]

The US magazine Variety called it a "smart, solutions-oriented essay film" and "an urgent and engaging call to action", and noted parallels with racism in the United States.

The Telegraph UK gave the film 4/5 stars describing the documentary as "a thoughtful, but ultimately depressing documentary" which tackles "the ugly race storm" at the heart of Australia’s national game.[33]

Audience response and box office edit

The film earned a 10-minute standing ovation after its first showing at the Melbourne International Film Festival, which is very unusual, but it did not do well at the box office in Australia after its release in late August. This was attributed partly to the earlier release of another documentary on the same topic, The Final Quarter, partly to the general unwillingness of audiences to engage with the topic or expose themselves to an alternative viewpoint, and other factors.[32] The manager of a Melbourne cinema where the film attracted big audiences suggested that "progressive audiences are receptive to the film and its message", but in some markets there was probably "a resistance to engage with a message that will be, for many, uncomfortable viewing".[32]

It won the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at MIFF.[34]

Accolades edit

As mentioned above, it won the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at MIFF.[34]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "The Australian Dream". MIFF 2020. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  2. ^ Lane, Samantha (6 September 2016). "Callum Mills wins 2016 AFL Rising Star award". The Age. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  3. ^ "Brownlow Medal history and winners". afl.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Adam Goodes wins Bob Skilton Medal". sydneyswans.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  5. ^ "All Australian". afl.com.au. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  6. ^ . www.australianoftheyear.org.au. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  7. ^ "Ejected teenage fan didn't know 'ape' was racist". Sydney Morning Herald.
  8. ^ Pierek, Jon; Gough, Deborah (26 May 2013). "Goodes accepts apology for teen's slur". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Adam Goodes' leave from AFL this weekend should fuel shame: Bartlett". SBS. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  10. ^ Flannagan, Martin (4 October 2014). "Why do footy crowds boo Adam Goodes?". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  11. ^ Adair, Darryl (1 August 2015). "Man up? I see a man down: booing and being Adam Goodes". The Conversation. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  12. ^ Adam Curley (30 May 2015). "Proud Goodes stands by war cry celebration". Australian Football League. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  13. ^ "Adam Goodes booing: Gillon McLachlan calls for footy to get its respect back as captains of all 18 AFL clubs make plea to fans". Herald Sun. Melbourne, VIC. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  14. ^ "'Respect': AFL fans unite with standing ovation for absent star Adam Goodes". Nine News. 1 August 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  15. ^ Deborah Gough (1 August 2015). "#istandwithadam: Social media campaign rallies for Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes". The Age. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  16. ^ Jacob Saulwick (2 August 2015). "Swell of support for Adam Goodes as Sydney Swans play Adelaide Crows at SCG". The Age.
  17. ^ Adam Curley (9 October 2015). "Goodes reveals he almost retired after booing controversy". Australian Football League. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  18. ^ "Swans champion Adam Goodes calls it a day". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  19. ^ "AFL says 'sorry' for not protecting Adam Goodes sooner from racist booing". NITV. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  20. ^ Decent, Tom (21 September 2015). "Retired Sydney Swans legend Adam Goodes would have been booed on grand final day, says Tim Watson". The Age. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  21. ^ a b c Buckmaster, Luke (2 August 2019). "The Australian Dream review – Adam Goodes doco driven by a clear desire for justice". the Guardian. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  22. ^ a b c Fryer, Brooke (5 December 2019). "Indigenous talent in total control at awards night". NITV. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  23. ^ agencies (4 December 2019). "Aacta awards 2019 winners: The Nightingale and Total Control dominate Australian screen awards". the Guardian. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  24. ^ a b "The Australian Dream". Madman Films. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  25. ^ a b agencies (4 December 2019). "Aacta awards 2019 winners: The Nightingale and Total Control dominate Australian screen awards". the Guardian. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
  26. ^ Creative, Ivy. "The Australian Dream". Good Thing Productions. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  27. ^ "The Australian Dream". Palace Nova. 22 August 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  28. ^ a b "Film review: The Australian Dream". InDaily. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  29. ^ Debruge, Peter (13 January 2020). "'The Australian Dream': Film Review". Variety.
  30. ^ "The Australian Dream". iview. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  31. ^ "Landmark documentary The Australian Dream premieres on ABC in February". ABC. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  32. ^ a b c Williams, Cameron (1 September 2019). "How 'must-see' became the kiss of death for the Adam Goodes' doco". ABC News. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  33. ^ [1] at The Telegraph UK, 9 August 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  34. ^ a b "'The Australian Dream' wins MIFF audience award". IF Magazine. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  35. ^ Pash, Chris (29 November 2019). "Walkley Awards winners 2019". AdNews. Retrieved 9 August 2021.

Further reading edit

  • Grant, Stan (3 September 2019). "The Australian Dream tells Adam Goodes' story but its message is universal". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  • Quinn, Karl (2 August 2019). "The Australian Dream: Watch Adam Goodes doc with an open mind, and feel hope". The Sydney Morning Herald.

External links edit

australian, dream, 2019, film, australian, dream, also, known, australian, dream, feature, length, documentary, film, released, australia, 2019, featuring, australian, football, league, player, adam, goodes, film, examines, australian, aboriginal, identity, ra. The Australian Dream also known as Australian Dream is a feature length documentary film released in Australia in 2019 Featuring Australian Football League AFL player Adam Goodes the film examines Australian Aboriginal identity and racism in modern Australia with the sustained booing of Goodes by spectators as a starting point The Australian DreamDirected byDaniel GordonScreenplay byStan GrantProduced byNick Batzias John Battsek Virginia Whitwell Sarah ThomsonStarringAdam Goodes Stan Grant Nova Peris Gilbert McAdam Tracey Holmes Linda Burney Nicky Winmar Nathan Buckley Natalie GoodesCinematographyDylan RiverEdited byMatt WyllieMusic byCornel WilczekProductioncompaniesGood Thing Productions Passion PicturesDistributed byMadman Entertainment Australia Lorton Entertainment International Release dates3 August 2019 2019 08 03 MIFF 22 August 2019 2019 08 22 Australia Running time105 minutesCountriesAustraliaUK It was written by award winning journalist Stan Grant and directed by British director Daniel Gordon and won the AACTA Award for best feature documentary in the 2019 series of the awards Contents 1 Synopsis 1 1 Background 1 2 The film 2 Cast 3 Themes 4 Production 5 Release 6 Critical response 7 Audience response and box office 8 Accolades 9 See also 10 References 11 Further reading 12 External linksSynopsis editBackground edit Further information Adam Goodes Controversy Goodes an Aboriginal Australian of Adnyamathanha and Narungga heritage 1 was drafted by the Sydney Swans in the 1997 AFL Draft and went on to have a successful career with the Swans being awarded a number of accolades for his performance including the AFL Rising Star award in 1999 2 the Brownlow Medal 2003 and 2006 3 the Bob Skilton Medal 2003 2006 and 2011 4 and All Australian selection 2003 2006 2009 and 2011 5 In 2014 he was named Australian of the Year in recognition of his community work supporting Indigenous Australian youth the efforts of the Go Foundation co founded with his Sydney Swans teammate Michael O Loughlin and his efforts to combat racism 6 On 24 May 2013 during the AFL s annual Indigenous Round the Sir Doug Nicholls Round a 13 year old Collingwood supporter called Goodes an ape Upon hearing the abuse Goodes pointed the girl out to security who ejected her from the stadium 7 Goodes was deeply affected by the incident but said repeatedly that the girl should not be blamed the environment that she grew up in had shaped her response The girl phoned to apologise saying that she hadn t realised the impact of her words 8 Over the following years and particularly in 2015 Goodes was repeatedly and loudly booed by opposition fans at most matches The motivation for and acceptability of the booing generated wide public debate which dominated media coverage from both sports and political commentators for weeks at a time 9 10 11 During a match against Carlton in May 2015 again during the Indigenous Round Goodes celebrated a goal by performing an Aboriginal war dance in which he mimed throwing a spear in the direction of the Carlton cheer squad Goodes said after the incident that the dance was based on one he learned from under 16s Indigenous team the Flying Boomerangs and that it was intended as an expression of Indigenous pride during Indigenous Round not as a means of offending or intimidating the crowd 12 The booing of Goodes intensified in the months after the war dance Goodes took indefinite leave from the game in August of the 2015 season 9 Many clubs and players in the AFL supported Goodes in the week of his leave 13 He returned the following week and played for the remainder of the season after an outpouring of support from fans actors politicians celebrities and teammates including two spontaneous standing ovations 14 15 16 17 Goodes retired from AFL in September 2015 18 He did not attend the Grand Final where retiring players traditionally take part in a parade one of only a handful of players to decline this invitation since the parade for retiring players was established 19 20 The film edit The Australian Dream tells the story of Goodes life from before he became a professional footballer through to his later career as an activist for Indigenous rights in Australia It includes archival footage of as well as recent interviews with a range of Australians including Indigenous and non Indigenous people politicians sportspeople politicians media commentators and Grant himself 1 With Grant commenting on or explaining each segment of the film it is only at the end that the title is explained when it includes his 2016 address at the 2019 IQ2 debate which went viral In it he delivers a powerful message about how discrimination and colonisation are the base on which the Australian dream is built 21 22 23 Cast editAll as themselves 1 Adam Goodes Stan Grant Nova Peris Linda Burney Michael O Loughlin Nicky Winmar Gilbert McAdam Tracey Holmes John Longmire Natalie Goodes Nathan Buckley Paul Roos Brett Goodes Eddie McGuire Andrew BoltThemes editThe film looks broadly at the part played by race and identity in Australian history and today s society 1 It questions what it means to be Australian and If the Australian Dream is rooted in racism what can be done to redefine it for the next generation 24 Production editThe Australian Dream was written by the Aboriginal Australian journalist Stan Grant and directed by British director Daniel Gordon 22 25 The person at the centre of the themes explored in the film footballer Adam Goodes participated in the making of the film as did most of the rest of the cast 21 It was co created by British production company Passion Pictures and local outfit Good Thing Productions with funding from the Australian Government Screen Australia and Film Victoria 26 Release editThe film had its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival MIFF on 3 August 2019 1 and was released in Australian cinemas on 22 August 2019 27 28 It was also presented at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival Toronto TIFF 2019 5 to 15 September 2019 Telluride Film Festival 31 September 2 October 2019 BFI London 2 13 October 2019 International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam November 2019 and the Palm Springs Film Festival 7 January 2020 29 It was shown on ABC TV in Australia on 23 February 2020 and is available online for Australian audiences as well as on the streaming service Kayo 30 31 Critical response editThe film was among the best reviewed most publicised Australian films of 2019 32 The film s website cites five star ratings by the Herald Sun and Student Edge and four and a half from The Age and Switch 24 The Guardian gives the film four stars Like several other reviewers it makes mention of the other 2019 documentary film on the same topic The Final Quarter saying that commentators Andrew Bolt and Eddie McGuire get more screen time in The Australian Dream giving them a platform they do not deserve to justify their contrary views but overall it speaks loudly and articulately on an important topic 21 InDaily called it a brilliant exploration of racism in this country and a more comprehensive analysis of the treatment of Goodes than The Final Quarter Regarding it as essential viewing for all Australians the reviewer says that the Indigenous voices in the film are not trying to divide Australia but rather seeking unity and reconciliation through truth and respect 28 The US magazine Variety called it a smart solutions oriented essay film and an urgent and engaging call to action and noted parallels with racism in the United States The Telegraph UK gave the film 4 5 stars describing the documentary as a thoughtful but ultimately depressing documentary which tackles the ugly race storm at the heart of Australia s national game 33 Audience response and box office editThe film earned a 10 minute standing ovation after its first showing at the Melbourne International Film Festival which is very unusual but it did not do well at the box office in Australia after its release in late August This was attributed partly to the earlier release of another documentary on the same topic The Final Quarter partly to the general unwillingness of audiences to engage with the topic or expose themselves to an alternative viewpoint and other factors 32 The manager of a Melbourne cinema where the film attracted big audiences suggested that progressive audiences are receptive to the film and its message but in some markets there was probably a resistance to engage with a message that will be for many uncomfortable viewing 32 It won the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at MIFF 34 Accolades edit2019 AACTA Award Best Feature Documentary 22 25 2019 Walkley Documentary Award 35 2020 Best Documentary Asian Academy Creative Awards As mentioned above it won the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at MIFF 34 See also editThe Final Quarter June 2019 film featuring Adam Goodes References edit a b c d e The Australian Dream MIFF 2020 3 August 2019 Retrieved 17 February 2020 Lane Samantha 6 September 2016 Callum Mills wins 2016 AFL Rising Star award The Age Retrieved 18 July 2019 Brownlow Medal history and winners afl com au Retrieved 29 June 2019 Adam Goodes wins Bob Skilton Medal sydneyswans com au Retrieved 29 June 2019 All Australian afl com au Retrieved 29 June 2019 Adam Goodes www australianoftheyear org au Archived from the original on 6 August 2020 Retrieved 21 February 2022 Ejected teenage fan didn t know ape was racist Sydney Morning Herald Pierek Jon Gough Deborah 26 May 2013 Goodes accepts apology for teen s slur Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 17 July 2019 a b Adam Goodes leave from AFL this weekend should fuel shame Bartlett SBS 31 July 2015 Retrieved 1 August 2015 Flannagan Martin 4 October 2014 Why do footy crowds boo Adam Goodes Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 3 August 2015 Adair Darryl 1 August 2015 Man up I see a man down booing and being Adam Goodes The Conversation Retrieved 3 August 2015 Adam Curley 30 May 2015 Proud Goodes stands by war cry celebration Australian Football League Retrieved 1 August 2015 Adam Goodes booing Gillon McLachlan calls for footy to get its respect back as captains of all 18 AFL clubs make plea to fans Herald Sun Melbourne VIC 31 July 2015 Retrieved 1 August 2015 Respect AFL fans unite with standing ovation for absent star Adam Goodes Nine News 1 August 2015 Retrieved 5 November 2015 Deborah Gough 1 August 2015 istandwithadam Social media campaign rallies for Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes The Age Retrieved 1 August 2015 Jacob Saulwick 2 August 2015 Swell of support for Adam Goodes as Sydney Swans play Adelaide Crows at SCG The Age Adam Curley 9 October 2015 Goodes reveals he almost retired after booing controversy Australian Football League Retrieved 28 October 2015 Swans champion Adam Goodes calls it a day AFL com au Bigpond 19 September 2015 Retrieved 19 September 2015 AFL says sorry for not protecting Adam Goodes sooner from racist booing NITV Retrieved 29 June 2019 Decent Tom 21 September 2015 Retired Sydney Swans legend Adam Goodes would have been booed on grand final day says Tim Watson The Age Retrieved 29 June 2019 a b c Buckmaster Luke 2 August 2019 The Australian Dream review Adam Goodes doco driven by a clear desire for justice the Guardian Retrieved 17 February 2020 a b c Fryer Brooke 5 December 2019 Indigenous talent in total control at awards night NITV Retrieved 15 February 2020 agencies 4 December 2019 Aacta awards 2019 winners The Nightingale and Total Control dominate Australian screen awards the Guardian Retrieved 15 February 2020 a b The Australian Dream Madman Films Retrieved 17 February 2020 a b agencies 4 December 2019 Aacta awards 2019 winners The Nightingale and Total Control dominate Australian screen awards the Guardian Retrieved 15 February 2020 Creative Ivy The Australian Dream Good Thing Productions Retrieved 17 February 2020 The Australian Dream Palace Nova 22 August 2019 Retrieved 17 February 2020 a b Film review The Australian Dream InDaily 21 August 2019 Retrieved 17 February 2020 Debruge Peter 13 January 2020 The Australian Dream Film Review Variety The Australian Dream iview Australian Broadcasting Corporation Retrieved 17 February 2020 Landmark documentary The Australian Dream premieres on ABC in February ABC 28 January 2020 Retrieved 17 February 2020 a b c Williams Cameron 1 September 2019 How must see became the kiss of death for the Adam Goodes doco ABC News Retrieved 17 February 2020 1 at The Telegraph UK 9 August 2020 Retrieved 23 August 2020 a b The Australian Dream wins MIFF audience award IF Magazine 23 August 2019 Retrieved 17 February 2020 Pash Chris 29 November 2019 Walkley Awards winners 2019 AdNews Retrieved 9 August 2021 Further reading editGrant Stan 3 September 2019 The Australian Dream tells Adam Goodes story but its message is universal ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation Quinn Karl 2 August 2019 The Australian Dream Watch Adam Goodes doc with an open mind and feel hope The Sydney Morning Herald External links editOfficial website The Australian Dream at IMDb nbsp The Australian Dream at Rotten Tomatoes Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Australian Dream 2019 film amp oldid 1217816456, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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