Featuring breakout performances from Noah Taylor and Ben Mendelsohn, The Year My Voice Broke is an autobiographical coming-of-age story from director John Duigan (whose future American career would include 1997’s superb Lawn Dogs). Set in rural Australia in the early ‘60s, it follows Danny (Taylor), a typically shy and awkward 15-year-old, as he deals with his developing feelings for lifelong friend Freya (Loene Carmen), an adopted girl whose parentage is the source of much local speculation. She in turn is attracted to local tough guy Trevor (Mendelsohn). The first in what was intended to be a trilogy, the film was followed by 1991’s Flirting, which starred future Hollywood stars Nicole Kidman, Thandiwe Newton, and Naomi Watts alongside the returning Taylor.

Presented by the National Film and Sound Archive’s digital restoration program – NFSA Restores – reviving Australia’s cinema icons.

Notes by Kevin Coyne.

Screening as part of the Australian Dreams season.