Around the Block (2013)

An Aboriginal boy is torn between his unexpected love of acting and the disintegration of his family.

Director:

Sarah Spillane

Writer:

Sarah Spillane

Stars:

Hunter Page-Lochard, Christina Ricci, Aaron L. McGrath

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hunter Page-Lochard	...	Liam
Christina Ricci	...	Dino Chalmers
Aaron L. McGrath	...	Joseph (as Aaron McGrath)
Elias Reese	...	Toby
Ursula Yovich	...	Chrissie
Mark Coles Smith	...	Steve
Shai Pittman	...	Tamika
Daniel Henshall	...	Simon
Anthony Gee	...	Tim
Sam Lyndon	...	Brucey
Guy Simon	...	Jacob
Braydn Pittman	...	Jason (as Braden Pittman)
Nicholas Cassim	...	Sergeant Todd
Amanda Wiltshire	...	Officer Blythe
Jack Thompson	...	Bill O'Donnell

Storyline

"AROUND THE BLOCK" is about breaking family and cultural cycles for a hopeful future. A contemporary story of love, revenge, and triumph, an Aboriginal boy becomes torn between his unexpected love of acting and the disintegration of his family. Meanwhile his high school drama teacher must practice what she teaches if she is to succeed in her personal and professional life.

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Plot Keywords:

aboriginal | teacher | f rated | lesbian kiss | cop | 

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Taglines:

What to be? That's the question

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ruby Rose told the Daily Mail in 2018 that she was very nervous when she got the part, not just because it was her first film role, but that she would be naked and having sex with movie icon Christina Ritchie. Playing the role of Hannah, Ruby, who was 27 at the time, was tasked with being the "dominant" of the pair and said at the time she was blindsided by the fact that she'd be acting opposite Christina, who is six years older than her and a Hollywood veteran in comparison. "I thought it would be awkward and I was not looking forward to it. You know, being alongside Christina Ricci, who has been a famous actress since she was born, pretty much. I remember her as Wednesday in The Addams Family and [in] Casper. So I was sort of spun out on the idea of having to be this dominating person in a role with her, but she is a pro." When asked what she thought of the reaction to her role in the film, Rose said people were freaked. "No one knew what my role was, but then the trailer came out and there is the sex scene so everyone is like, 'Oh my god, you're naked, having sex with Christina Ricci!'"

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dino Chalmers: [narrating] A philosopher once said, one is not born a woman, but chooses to become one. I've wondered if it was the same with freedom.
Dino Chalmers: [filming people on the street] Is anyone really free?

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Soundtracks

How Far How High
Written by Nick Wales, N Radom, Z Hauptman, J Underwood and J O'Donoghue
Performed by Coda
© Copyright Control
Licensed Courtesy of Coda

User Reviews

A touching and engaging story

This film tells the story of two aboriginal brothers in Australia, whose lives diverges and disintegrates because of their different goals and values in life.

"Around the Block" tells a touching story of two underprivileged teenagers in a deprived neighborhood. They got involved in a turmoil that they do not need to be in, and it is up to the drama teacher to do something to help them - by engaging one of the two teenagers to act in a school play. It is an engaging and touching story, especially because it makes you yearn for an ending which is different compared to the one shown. I think the acting by the two teenagers are good, and Christina Ricci made the right choice to star in this gem. She needs to be in good films after a string of not so good ones!

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Twitter

Country:

Australia USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 April 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Around the Block

Filming Locations:

Redfern, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Kick Pictures, Tree

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Color:

Color