The Sapphires (2012)

It's 1968, and four young, talented Australian Aboriginal girls learn about love, friendship and war when their all girl group The Sapphires entertain the US troops in Vietnam.

Director:

Wayne Blair

Writers:

Tony Briggs, Keith Thompson

Stars:

Chris O'Dowd, Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy

18 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris O'Dowd	...	Dave Lovelace
Deborah Mailman	...	Gail
Jessica Mauboy	...	Julie
Shari Sebbens	...	Kay
Miranda Tapsell	...	Cynthia
Tory Kittles	...	Robby
Eka Darville	...	Hendo
Lynette Narkle	...	Nanny Theresa
Kylie Belling	...	Geraldine
Gregory J. Fryer	...	Selwyn
Don Battee	...	Myron Ritchie
T.J. Power	...	Lt. Jensen
Tanika Lonesborough	...	Young Gail
Nioka Brennan	...	Young Kay
Tammy Anderson	...	Evelyn

Storyline

1968 was the year that changed the world. And for four young Aboriginal sisters from a remote mission this is the year that would change their lives forever. Around the globe, there was protest and revolution in the streets. Indigenous Australians finally secured the right to vote. There were drugs and the shock of a brutal assassination. And there was Vietnam. The sisters, Cynthia, Gail, Julie and Kay are discovered by Dave, a talent scout with a kind heart, very little rhythm but a great knowledge of soul music. Billed as Australia's answer to 'The Supremes', Dave secures the sisters their first true gig, and flies them to Vietnam to sing for the American troops. Based on a true story, THE SAPPHIRES is a triumphant celebration of youthful emotion, family and music.

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Plot Keywords:

vietnam | australia | soul music | australian aboriginal | singer | 

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Taglines:

It's what's in the groove that counts.

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | Musical

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexuality, a scene of war violence, some language, thematic elements and smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 August 2012 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Les Saphirs

Filming Locations:

Albury, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$38,372 (USA) (22 March 2013)

Gross:

$1,837,769 (USA) (10 May 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Goalpost Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie's co-writer and associate producer Tony Briggs is the son of Laurel Robinson, a member of the real-life The Sapphires group.

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Goofs

The movie is set in 1968, but The Sapphires sing The Staple Sisters "I'll Take You There" (released in 1972) and Merle Haggard's "Today I Started Loving You Again" (released in 1970). It also features "Run Through the Jungle" (released in 1970) in the opening scene.

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Quotes

Dave: Can you do it blacker?

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Episode #10.1 (2013)

User Reviews

Sensational

I've just seen a screening of The Sapphires and have to say that it's one of the best mainstream films I've seen in a long time. It was exhilarating: making me cry, laugh and want to dance. Over the years, there have been some amazing films of and about Aboriginal Australia. One of the very best being  Warwick Thornton's heart breaking Sampson And Delilah.  Some people will belittle The Sapphires for not being similarly heavy but this film is not that film.  This film, with it's Aboriginal writer and director (and cast, cinematographer (the wonderfully talented Warwick Thornton) and choreographer) is another film. It is a celebration of spiritedness and strength, lovingly made and deftly told. It left me with vivid impressions of the lives of the characters and of Australia at that time.  Tremendous chemistry between Chris O'Dowd and Deborah Mailman and the rest of the cast drew me in and up, as did the spine tinglingly good soul singing from Jessica  Mauboy.  Newcomers Shari Sebbens and Miranda Tapsell were great too. I can't believe that this was Wayne Blair's first feature. Good on you Goalpost  for bringing an important script to (hopefully) a wide audience and doing it with such flair.