OFF COUNTRY + Q&A
DOCO OF THE MONTH
Thu
25
Thu 25 Nov 6:00 PM
Arc Cinema
Allocated Seating
95 Mins
2021 | DCP | AUS| D: John Harvey, Rhian Skirving
Every year, around 3,000 Indigenous students receive scholarships to attend some of Australia’s most prestigious boarding schools. It is an immense opportunity, setting many of the youngsters on a path to a bright future, but it also means they must leave their homes and communities.
Over the course of a year, Off Country follows several such students who, despite hailing from distinct nations and having vastly different circumstances, each share a commitment to doing themselves and their families proud – no matter the difficulties.
This eye-opening and empathetic film captures the tremendous pressures these students face – from academics and extracurriculars to sustaining ties with kin and culture, all of which are further complicated by the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic.
Through candid observations by the students and contextualising commentary by Geelong Grammar staff, Indigenous community experts and family members, Off Country tackles tough questions around identity, belonging, coming of age away from home and how best to ‘close the gap’ without creating a new one.
Join us after the screening for a Q&A session via zoom in Arc Cinema with director Rhian Skirving and producer Charlotte Wheaton
‘[Captures] the adolescent experience on screen with rawness and authenticity’ – Melbourne International Film Festival
Every year, around 3,000 Indigenous students receive scholarships to attend some of Australia’s most prestigious boarding schools. It is an immense opportunity, setting many of the youngsters on a path to a bright future, but it also means they must leave their homes and communities.
Over the course of a year, Off Country follows several such students who, despite hailing from distinct nations and having vastly different circumstances, each share a commitment to doing themselves and their families proud – no matter the difficulties.
This eye-opening and empathetic film captures the tremendous pressures these students face – from academics and extracurriculars to sustaining ties with kin and culture, all of which are further complicated by the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic.
Through candid observations by the students and contextualising commentary by Geelong Grammar staff, Indigenous community experts and family members, Off Country tackles tough questions around identity, belonging, coming of age away from home and how best to ‘close the gap’ without creating a new one.
Join us after the screening for a Q&A session via zoom in Arc Cinema with director Rhian Skirving and producer Charlotte Wheaton
‘[Captures] the adolescent experience on screen with rawness and authenticity’ – Melbourne International Film Festival