"Blinder"

I have to say, up front, that if you're not especially interested in Australian Rules football, you might want to read some of the other posts.

In 1980, Jack Thompson played the coach of a struggling VFL team in a film called The Club. It's an interesting film for lots of reasons. It was directed by Bruce Beresford, who later made Driving Miss Daisy (1989), Double Jeopardy (1999), and Mao's Last Dancer (2009). The 1st AD was Scott Hicks, who went on to make Shine (1996), Snow Falling on Cedars (1999), and No Reservations (2007). The Club was mostly filmed at Victoria Park, the spiritual home of the Collingwood Football Club.  

Now, in 2013, Jack Thompson is back as the coach of a suburban team struggling with it's history, a scandal, and the return of a prodigal son. The film is called Blinder.

An ex-footballer embroiled in a scandal returns home to clear his name and reignites an old flame.

In Australian parlance, to "play a blinder" is high praise. If, in a particular game, a participant performed with exceptional skill, they are said to have "played a blinder."

For Jack Thompson, Blinder is about more than football.

"It's about the aspirations of young people. It's about what happens to young people who are adored and in the public eye. It's about the loss of anonymity. And having been in that situation as a young actor, I was aware that this is something very real."

Executive producers include Glenn Archer and Sam Kekovich (439 games and 3 premierships between them). They know the game, the highs and lows, and they sought to ensure the authenticity of the football scenes in the movie.

The film will be in Australian cinemas on March 7. Enjoy.

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