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Paper Champions

  • 2020
  • 1h 23m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
130
YOUR RATING
Paper Champions (2020)
Official Trailer.
Play trailer2:01
1 Video
21 Photos
Comedy

Paper Champions is an uplifting comedy about Rey, a young man who wants to find love despite having lost his 'Mana'.Paper Champions is an uplifting comedy about Rey, a young man who wants to find love despite having lost his 'Mana'.Paper Champions is an uplifting comedy about Rey, a young man who wants to find love despite having lost his 'Mana'.

  • Director
    • Jo-Anne Brechin
  • Writers
    • Michael McCallum
    • James Pratt
    • Luke Saliba
  • Stars
    • David Fane
    • Gary Sweet
    • John Tui
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.6/10
    130
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jo-Anne Brechin
    • Writers
      • Michael McCallum
      • James Pratt
      • Luke Saliba
    • Stars
      • David Fane
      • Gary Sweet
      • John Tui
    • 26User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Paper Champions - Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:01
    Paper Champions - Official Trailer

    Photos21

    View Poster
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    + 17
    View Poster

    Top cast47

    Edit
    David Fane
    David Fane
    • Kenife
    Gary Sweet
    Gary Sweet
    • Terry
    John Tui
    John Tui
    • Wade
    Jessica Redmayne
    Jessica Redmayne
    • Vanessa
    Genevieve Morris
    Genevieve Morris
    • Linda
    Don Bridges
    Don Bridges
    • Joe
    Francesca Waters
    Francesca Waters
    • Prue
    Michael Logo
    • Ardi
    Tessa de Josselin
    Tessa de Josselin
    • Holly
    Justin Wang
    Justin Wang
    • Danny
    • (as Yuchen Wang)
    Kaarin Fairfax
    Kaarin Fairfax
    • Morine
    Adam Fiorentino
    Adam Fiorentino
    • Rico
    Cecilia Low
    Cecilia Low
    • Ana
    George Rayias
    George Rayias
    • Little Rey
    Tama Tauali'i
    • Matiu
    Lewis Mitchell
    Lewis Mitchell
    • Hand Grip Hunk
    Alex Pinder
    Alex Pinder
    • Dr. Leachman
    Anthony Ahern
    • Trent
    • Director
      • Jo-Anne Brechin
    • Writers
      • Michael McCallum
      • James Pratt
      • Luke Saliba
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews26

    5.6130
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    Featured reviews

    10hay-98812

    Great Comedy

    A must watch! Paper Champions is a gentle film well suited for current times. The film is well paced, having great comedic moments entwined within it. Cast all deliver great performances, and the dialogue seems realistic. The cinematography is a personal favourite, with a great colour grade as well!
    8spicerterry

    Had a good laugh!

    I don't normally like Australian movies but I liked that, I really liked that! Very fun!
    7WalkdenEntertainment

    I appreciated this type of witty humour...

    When Rey was a kid, he always had dreams of taking on the world as a professional wrestler. But in the present day, Rey (Luke Saliba) has ended up on a very different path. Rey works behind a desk selling photocopy machines along selling general stationery supplies to locals. Rey also works with his long-time best friend, Wade (John Tui), who is always quite encouraging towards Rey.

    But in life Rey seems deflated and defeated. Even his best friend claims that Rey has lost his Mana. Supposing you are not familiar with the term, according to Google, Mana is the spiritual life force energy or healing power that permeates the universe in the culture of the Melanesians and Polynesians.

    With Rey feeling down and lacking Mana, his friends and even his family are now all trying to help. They help by getting Rey to participate in several activities such as playing football, giving tips on how to dance and even offering advice on how to act around the ladies. One of these activities leads Rey to meet a young nurse who he wishes to pursue a new friendship with. Rey eventually questions his long-life dreams of becoming a wrestler.

    Paper Champions is a feel-good comedy, and to my surprise, this film is also filled with heartfelt moments as Rey begins to rediscover himself as a grown man. The film is family-friendly, and I enjoyed how the film was able to be fun, random, witty and deliver well-timed jokes to the screen. Rey, as a character, is mainly quiet and shy, but his family and friends around him are certainly outgoing and full of energy which is perfect for Rey's current situation in life.

    As a plot, I found myself quite engaged with the story and perhaps maybe even found it relatable. At no point did I find this film dull or uninteresting, and I was invested in seeing how Rey's life would turn out at the end of this film. Once I started the movie, I had to know how this film would end. It undoubtedly hooked me because of the plot and I watched this film with a smile.

    Overall, this film truly surprised me. It is a heartfelt comedy about a man who has lost his way in life but has the determination to rediscover himself. The humour here is family-friendly, and I appreciated this type of witty humour. It did not take long for me to feel invested in this film based on the film's plot and characters, but also because I found the film to be fun and brainless. It's a solid Australian film and I wish we had more films like it!

    6.8/10 - Walkden Entertainment
    9robbie-29692

    Loved all the one liners!

    Good comedy, with a fun cast. I loved all the one liners! I'm from Geelong, so I also enjoyed seeing all the locations as well. The story reminded me of the power of community and how we need each other to be our best! Recommend watching!
    9nickiedwards

    An excellent homegrown movie!

    Paper Champions is a feel good film that will have you smiling throughout. Loved seeing the different locations around Geelong, and the set design and costumes screamed 80's vibe. The pace of the movie isn't fast, but it moves smoothly with enough 'laugh-out-loud' moments to keep the viewer engaged. The story line is strong and easy to follow and is complimented by a cast of very quirky characters. Standout performances by Luke Saliba, Tessa De Josselin and Don Bridges. I came away from watching this movie feeling uplifted and happy. Highly recommended if you enjoy quirky Aussie movies.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The wrestler 'the mountain' is an actual wrestler who goes by the name War Machine.
    • Connections
      References 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 6, 2020 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • Australia
    • Official site
      • Official Website
    • Filming locations
      • Geelong, Victoria, Australia(location)
    • Production companies
      • Saliba Pictures
      • Exile Entertainment
      • Head Gear Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • A$1,450,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,035
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 23 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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