The Australian Dream

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The Australian Dream

2019

1h 30m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

100%

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30 Reviews

76%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

AFL legend Adam Goodes shares the story of his life and career to offer a deeper insight into race, identity and belonging.

Critics Consensus

The Australian Dream powerfully draws on one athlete's extraordinary story to grapple with thorny questions facing the nation -- and much of the rest of the world.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

An important documentary, particularly with everything going on in this moment...

Jun 16, 2020

Full Review

Philip De Semlyen

Time Out

You don't need to be Australian, know a bean about Aussie Rules football or have even heard of its subject, indigenous AFL player Adam Goodes, to walk away from this moving documentary fired up and challenged.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 12, 2020

Full Review

Danny Leigh

Financial Times

Goodes is now rebuilding his psyche. Less certain is that of Australia, a country that, like others, relies for its self-image on a certain amnesia.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 10, 2020

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

This is uncomfortable, enlightening and compelling viewing, proof that America isn't the only country with endemic and casual racism and how social media only makes such problems worse.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 10, 2020

Full Review

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Strikingly well-produced, this documentary takes a deep dive into systemic racism in Australian society through the salient perspectives of football legend Adam Goodes and journalist Stan Grant.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jun 22, 2020

Full Review

Christopher Machell

CineVue

Unlikely to win high praise for originality. But as The Australian Dream methodically sets out the unspeakable, too-often unspoken, injustices of European colonialism, the novelty of formal innovation pales in comparison to the more important issue.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 10, 2020

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Damien S

I couldn't look passed his arrogance. And not agree with his behaviour on the field. Always trying to cheat the umpires into free kicks.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/13/23

Full Review

Nicholas S

This film is a very engaging movie but the political agenda is so overt and painful that it brings down the film

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/03/23

Full Review

Ellen B

A documentary that needed to be made. Every Australian should watch this. Heartfelt and heeling.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/01/22

Full Review

Audience Member

This had ONLY 33 reviews when I got here (Sept 2020). So firstly, watch it because it's awesome and then get yourself on here and add a review. Y

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Australia, like so many other countries, has a blindness when it comes to how it views its Black people. The story of Adam Goodes, one of the great players in Australian Rules Football history, delivers the context through which we more fully understand the impact of his vilification during his last year of play. An impassioned documentary that allows even Andrew Bolt an unquestioned voice. It's Australia's 45, the sports movie that becomes required viewing for all people interested in walking in the shoes of someone having the Black experience in front of us all.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

It was rubbish. Don't bother

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

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Daniel Gordon

Director

Adam Goodes

Self

Stan Grant

Self

Nova Peris

Self

Gilbert McAdam

Self

Tracey Holmes

Self

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Synopsis

AFL legend Adam Goodes shares the story of his life and career to offer a deeper insight into race, identity and belonging.

Director: Daniel Gordon
Producer: Nick Batzias, John Battsek, Virginia Whitwell, Sarah Thomson
Screenwriter: Stan Grant
Production Co: Good Thing Productions, Passion Pictures
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: Australian English
Runtime: 1h 30m