By June Ramli
Sydney, Oct 18: In Like My Brother, a new documentary released on October 17, the stories of four aspiring AFLW players from the Tiwi Islands unfold, portraying their pursuit of sporting dreams.
Filmed over six years, this film offers an intimate look into the lives of Freda, Jess, Julie, and Rina, who face the challenges of navigating cultural expectations, physical demands, and life far from home—all with the goal of breaking into the AFLW.
The documentary, directed by Sal Balharrie and Danielle MacLean, aims to highlight the power of sport to inspire change and showcases how these young women challenge stereotypes while becoming role models for future generations.
The film premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival and was featured at several prestigious events, including CinefestOZ, the Darwin International Film Festival, and Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures.
Despite its inspiring subject matter, I found the documentary slow-paced and struggled to stay engaged throughout the screening.
The film, shot prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, may appeal more to football enthusiasts or those invested in Indigenous development in Australia.
However, for those passionate about the intersection of sports, culture, and community empowerment, this is a must-watch.
If you love AFL and are interested in the stories of Indigenous resilience, Like My Brother offers a glimpse into the dreams and challenges of young women daring to shape their own futures.
For others, the slow pace might make it a bit of a challenge to sit through.
Like My Brother is distributed by Mushroom Studios and is now showing in cinemas across Australia.
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