Written and Directed by Gabriel Currubba
Starring Liam Mollica, Luke J. Morgan, Olivia Fildes, Daniel Halmarick, Mia Barrett, Diana Ferreira, Sal Galofaro, Nelson Blattman, and Elias Anton

Over the past decade, Australia has produced and shared with the world some world-class LGBTQIA+ stories that resonate globally. Holding the Man from 2015, adapted from Timothy Conigrave’s 1995 memoir of the same name is certainly one. Another is Goran Stolevski’s more recent Of An Age, a film I labelled an Aussie gem for the ages. Now, in 2024, a tender and true, beautiful and brave coming of age story based on writer and director Gabriel Currubba’s own personal experiences is in full bloom this winter in Sunflower.

Where both Holding the Man and Of An Age centred on their separate yet unforgettable love stories, Sunflower’s focus is entirely on its 17-year-old protagonist, Leo (played by Liam Mollica) as he struggles to understand and truly accept his sexuality while simultaneously doing his best to ensure he’s the only one privy to that. The mighty challenge it already is maintaining this secret becomes near impossible when a female classmate’s serious crush on him is made apparent. The expectations and pressure on Leo to reciprocate Monique’s (played by Olivia Fildes, who resembles a younger Rachel McAdams) advances escalate rapidly as both their friends strongly encourage Leo to make his move and as a gathering of friends at Monique’s house while her parents are out fast approaches.

When you experience a film that resonates, the connection that is formed with the characters, story, and overall film reaches a personal level that can often be profound. Though this was always undoubtedly going to be the case for me courtesy of the many striking parallels happening on screen to my own teenage years, it is Gabriel Currubba’s sheer bravery and dedication to honesty via the storytelling that fuels that connection and makes Sunflower truly shine.

Honesty that highlights the growing adverse impacts on an individual resulting from the derogatory and damaging remarks made by others of sexuality that is anything but straight. Often, those making such remarks are oblivious to their infliction and are made by some of the closest people to the individual they are harming. This movie demonstrates precisely that before online trolling and social media even existed! The school curriculum that ill-informs its students of guaranteed expectations that will come to fruition when a man and a woman become intimate. It is being surrounded by constant personal and societal commentary such as all of this that understandably makes Leo feel so alone in a city of millions. Among the overpowering adversities, however, Gabriel Currubba has recognised the importance of holding a holistic view and incorporates a number of lighter moments throughout his film. Most notably is a dining table family discussion revolving around that aforementioned gathering, which is quite hilarious. 

Sunflower could easily have planted itself into teen-only demographic yet is accessible and inclusive to all. This quality production, entirely worthy of its big screen release, has some captivating dream-like sequences and an enriching and atmospheric score. Finally, I must compliment the acting performance of lead actor, Liam Mollica. Not every actor has the ability to convey what their character is internally processing and feeling in scenes where words are not spoken as naturally and clearly as Liam consistently achieves here. This is a seriously impressive and impactful performance in a seriously impressive and impactful film.  

Sunflower is showing in selected cinemas across Australia from July 4th.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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