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HILLMEN, THE - a Soccer Fable
Year: 1996
Classification: Exempt - Ronin Recommends: PG
Runtime: 56 min
Produced In: Australia
Directed By: Steve Thomas
Produced By: Tony Wright
Language: English
A story about cross-cultural relationships, the generation gap and what it's like to lose. ...
WINNER! BEST TV DOCUMENTARY in the AFI Awards,1996.
The Hillmen - a Soccer Fable is an observational documentary following the fate of a junior soccer team in Melbourne through a single season. An affectionate homage to amateur sport, a wry portrait of the generation gap and a thought-provoking look at multicultural Australia, the story has elements of tragicomedy. Above all, it is a meditation on winning and losing. Mainly losing ....
Clifton Hill United was originally established as an inner-city soccer and social club by the local Greek community. But since its heyday in State league soccer, support has declined as Greek-Australian families have moved to the wealthier outer suburbs. Faced with an accelerating slide down the league table, the Club has decided to widen its recruitment base and welcome kids of all cultures from the surrounding area into its junior ranks.
Now, for the first time in several years, the Club is able to field an Under-16 team in the Northern League. The squad is a melting pot of Vietnamese, Greek and Turkish boys - with one or two Anglo-Australians, including filmmaker Steve Thomas' son. In charge of the team are veteran Manager Stan Stokes, an English migrant involved with local soccer for 40 years, and first-time Coach Alex Facos - a former Under-16 hero from 'the glory days of the 'Hillmen'. We witness Alex and Stan's increasingly desperate attempts to meld this disparate bunch of lads into a team, as week after week they are beaten by culturally homogenous teams from the northern suburbs.
The 'Hillmen' don't quite make it in the end, but the Club will persist with its open door policy. Surprising relationships have developed during the season and there is no retreating to the ghetto ....
The Hillmen - a Soccer Fable was broadcast on the ABC in July 1996.
Writer/Director/Narrator - STEVE THOMAS
Producer -TONY WRIGHT
Co-Producer - STEVE THOMAS
Cinematographer - PETER ZAKHAROV
Editor - KEN SALLOWS
Music - AL MULLINS & JANINE DE LORENZO
Produced with the assistance of Film Victoria.
Produced with the assistance of SBS Independent
Financed by the Australian Film Finance Corporation
© 1996 December Films & Flying Carpet Films
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