Offside (2009 film)
Encyclopedia
Offside is a 2009 Australian romantic comedy
written and directed by Gian Carlo Petraccaro
(under the name Gian Carlo), and produced by Matthew Salleh at Urtext Film Productions
.
and Johann Cruyff, while functioning as the coach
of their suburban football team. For Charlie it is all about winning; for Frank it is all about the pursuit of excellence.
Meanwhile, their suburban team is made up of old school friends who have a range of issues of their own. Damon (Peter Michell) is married to Isabella (Elena Carapetis
), who is slowly turning her ocker
husband into an Italian
. Angelo (Sam Tripodi) is married to Lisa (Kimberley Hart); she wants him to focus on starting a family. Kon (Frank Romeo) and Mark (Saxon Cordeaux) are slackers
; they work for Sarah (Chloe Gardner), who fancies Charlie. And Charlie fancies Katie (Georgii Speakman
), the unattainable sexy blonde with a secret.
The guys are all approaching the end of their football careers. Family responsibilities, age and business pressures combine to make this their last season together and they would love to go out as champions. To this end, they embrace serious training and adopt a few questionable tactics. When Uncle Vito (Gabriel Damiani), the godfather of the piece, backs the boys to win the cup to the tune of $50,000, the tensions increase. As the team closes in on an elusive place in the Cup final, Charlie discovers true love, but has to decide if Katie is the kind of girl he can safely take home to mother.
Woven through all this is the progress of the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup finals, with the steady success of the Australian team generating enthusiasm amongst Australians who traditionally had no interest in soccer, and increasing inspiration for the boys.
"It’s a fun film," said the producer, Matt Salleh. "One that’s character-driven, hopefully by characters who resonate with people".
, and the concept for Offside was born.
, an independent film company based in Adelaide
, South Australia
. Urtext functions as a filmmakers
co-op
. Once writer/director Gian Carlo took the script for Offside to Urtext, the collective quickly started making their first feature film.
Executive producer, Matthew Salleh, said that he believed Australian "audiences want to see themselves reflected on the screen" and that Offside fulfills that desire.
The film gained enormous support from the local football community. Intense interest from numerous local businesses and individuals made private funding of the film achievable, and, as Filmink put it, "something the neighborhood could be a part of". Many members of the Adelaide United Football Club
attended screenings of the film. Offside, explained Matthew Salleh, is "about those die-hard football fans we all know and love. They're who this film is based on, and they are the ones that want to see this film, so we're looking to them, as opposed to the mainstream film industry, to help promote this movie".
and surrounding areas. Angelo’s home was at Burbridge Road, West Beach
. Mark’s flat was at Renwick Street, Henley Beach
. The Fasta Pasta
restaurant on South Terrace, Adelaide
was used for Uncle Vito’s coffee shop. Rigoni’s – a long-time landmark restaurant in Adelaide – was the setting for the lunch where Katie and Shakira walk out.
Football matches were staged at the TK Shutter Reserve, Klemzig
(home of the North Eastern MetroStars
), and in the Northern Parklands
. A couple of training run scenes were shot at Montefiore Hill
, with the City of Adelaide as a backdrop. The office occupied by Sarah, Mark and Kon was the BCFR Accounting offices in Melbourne Street, North Adelaide
. The fish and chip
shop was in Fourth Avenue, Klemzig
. The car scenes were all shot in Woodville
. The end scenes were shot at Joe’s Kiosk, Henley Beach
, which has since become a famous meeting place, for South Australian politicians.
In order to play the role of Leechy, well-known media personality Anthony 'Lehmo
' Lehmann flew to Adelaide for six hours. Once shooting was completed, he broadcast his afternoon drive-time radio show from a sister Adelaide radio station, before flying back to Sydney.
, Crackerjack and Two Hands
. The first screening at the Adelaide Film Festival
was sold out. The cinema manager described a later screening on 26 March 2009 at the Mercury Cinema as their "biggest night in thirty-five years".
Romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily"...
written and directed by Gian Carlo Petraccaro
Gian Carlo Petraccaro
Gian Carlo Petraccaro is a film director from South Australia. He is usually called "Carlo Petraccaro", though he has received film credits as "Gian Carlo". He is best known as the screenwriter and director of the independent film Offside.-Life and career:Carlo Petraccaro was born in Adelaide, the...
(under the name Gian Carlo), and produced by Matthew Salleh at Urtext Film Productions
Urtext Film Productions
Urtext Film Productions is a film company located in Adelaide, South Australia. It was set up in 2005 when Matthew Salleh combined with a number of other young university graduates to establish a place where they could pursue their filmmaking dreams....
.
Plot
Charlie (Terry Rogers) is the good-looking, hard-working brother who runs Uncle Vito's cafe, as well as the local soccer club. He enjoys casual success with women, but is careful to avoid commitment. The other brother, Frank (Peter Evangelista) is an unemployed dreamer who studies the Joga Bonito, Total FootballTotal Football
"Total Football" is the label given to an influential tactical theory of association football in which any outfield player can take over the role of any other player in a team. It was pioneered by Dutch football club Ajax from 1969 to 1973, and further used by the Netherlands National Football...
and Johann Cruyff, while functioning as the coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
of their suburban football team. For Charlie it is all about winning; for Frank it is all about the pursuit of excellence.
Meanwhile, their suburban team is made up of old school friends who have a range of issues of their own. Damon (Peter Michell) is married to Isabella (Elena Carapetis
Elena Carapetis
Elena Carapetis is an Australian actress of Greek and Cypriot descent, known for her role as Jackie Kassis in Heartbreak High, as well as numerous other television series and theatre roles.-Biography:...
), who is slowly turning her ocker
Ocker
The term "ocker" is used both as a noun and adjective for an Australian who speaks and acts in an uncultured manner, using a broad Australian accent...
husband into an Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
. Angelo (Sam Tripodi) is married to Lisa (Kimberley Hart); she wants him to focus on starting a family. Kon (Frank Romeo) and Mark (Saxon Cordeaux) are slackers
Slacker
The term "slacker" is used to refer to a person who habitually avoids work. Slackers may be regarded as belonging to an antimaterialistic counterculture, though in some cases their behavior may be due to other causes ....
; they work for Sarah (Chloe Gardner), who fancies Charlie. And Charlie fancies Katie (Georgii Speakman
Georgii Speakman
Georgina Amy Speakman is an Australian actress. She was born on 24 April 1982 in Adelaide, South Australia.-Early life:Originally from Adelaide, South Australia, Georgii has been performing in musical theater, school plays and singing and dancing since the age of five.-Career:Georgii has had major...
), the unattainable sexy blonde with a secret.
The guys are all approaching the end of their football careers. Family responsibilities, age and business pressures combine to make this their last season together and they would love to go out as champions. To this end, they embrace serious training and adopt a few questionable tactics. When Uncle Vito (Gabriel Damiani), the godfather of the piece, backs the boys to win the cup to the tune of $50,000, the tensions increase. As the team closes in on an elusive place in the Cup final, Charlie discovers true love, but has to decide if Katie is the kind of girl he can safely take home to mother.
Woven through all this is the progress of the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup finals, with the steady success of the Australian team generating enthusiasm amongst Australians who traditionally had no interest in soccer, and increasing inspiration for the boys.
"It’s a fun film," said the producer, Matt Salleh. "One that’s character-driven, hopefully by characters who resonate with people".
Script
Offside started life as a script called "2nd Generation", which focussed on the way second generation migrant children often squander the hard work of their parents. Carlo added the idea of the soccer team keeping them together beyond high schoolHigh school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, and the concept for Offside was born.
Urtext
The film was independently financed, and was the first feature produced by Urtext Film ProductionsUrtext Film Productions
Urtext Film Productions is a film company located in Adelaide, South Australia. It was set up in 2005 when Matthew Salleh combined with a number of other young university graduates to establish a place where they could pursue their filmmaking dreams....
, an independent film company based in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. Urtext functions as a filmmakers
Filmmaking
Filmmaking is the process of making a film, from an initial story, idea, or commission, through scriptwriting, casting, shooting, directing, editing, and screening the finished product before an audience that may result in a theatrical release or television program...
co-op
Cooperative
A cooperative is a business organization owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit...
. Once writer/director Gian Carlo took the script for Offside to Urtext, the collective quickly started making their first feature film.
Executive producer, Matthew Salleh, said that he believed Australian "audiences want to see themselves reflected on the screen" and that Offside fulfills that desire.
Filming
It was shot in less than 30 days, in January/February 2008. Much of the work was done at night, because that was the only time the locations were available for filming. Adelaide experienced a heatwave as it usually does around that time of year and many scenes, which supposedly occur in winter, feature actors clearly dressed for an Australian summer.The film gained enormous support from the local football community. Intense interest from numerous local businesses and individuals made private funding of the film achievable, and, as Filmink put it, "something the neighborhood could be a part of". Many members of the Adelaide United Football Club
Adelaide United FC
Adelaide United Football Club is a professional football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. It currently participates in the A-League as the sole team from the state of South Australia. Adelaide is one of the most successful clubs in the A-League. The club's home ground is...
attended screenings of the film. Offside, explained Matthew Salleh, is "about those die-hard football fans we all know and love. They're who this film is based on, and they are the ones that want to see this film, so we're looking to them, as opposed to the mainstream film industry, to help promote this movie".
Locations
The film was shot entirely in AdelaideAdelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
and surrounding areas. Angelo’s home was at Burbridge Road, West Beach
West Beach, South Australia
West Beach is a seaside suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. It is located in both the City of Charles Sturt and the City of West Torrens.-History:...
. Mark’s flat was at Renwick Street, Henley Beach
Henley Beach, South Australia
Henley Beach is a seaside suburb of Adelaide in the City of Charles Sturt local government area , South Australia.-External links:*...
. The Fasta Pasta
Fasta Pasta
Fasta Pasta is an Australian pasta restaurant chain, operating 36 sites throughout Victoria, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. Jim Rinaldi, along with 6 other partners founded Fasta Pasta.- External links :* *...
restaurant on South Terrace, Adelaide
South Terrace, Adelaide
South Terrace is a street on the south side of the city centre of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. It runs from Anzac Highway and connects to Glen Osmond Road. King William Street ends at South Terrace. It is the southern edge of the city centre, and is bounded by parklands to the south,...
was used for Uncle Vito’s coffee shop. Rigoni’s – a long-time landmark restaurant in Adelaide – was the setting for the lunch where Katie and Shakira walk out.
Football matches were staged at the TK Shutter Reserve, Klemzig
Klemzig, South Australia
Klemzig is a suburb of Adelaide in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. It is the location of the first settlement of German emigrants to Australia in the 19th century and is named after a village near the city of Zuellichau in southeastern Brandenburg in the German state of Prussia, where they...
(home of the North Eastern MetroStars
North Eastern MetroStars
The Metro Stars is a football club from Adelaide, South Australia which plays in the South Australian Super League. It is based at the T.K Shutter reserve in the north-eastern suburb of Klemzig...
), and in the Northern Parklands
Adelaide Park Lands
The Adelaide Park Lands are the parks that surround the centre of the South Australian capital city of Adelaide. They measure approximately 7.6 square kilometres in a green belt encircling the city centre....
. A couple of training run scenes were shot at Montefiore Hill
Montefiore Hill
Montefiore Hill is a small hill in North Adelaide, South Australia, named after Jacob Montefiore, a Jewish Colonising Commissioner who was a cousin of the British philanthropist, Moses Montefiore. It offers a vantage point over Adelaide Oval, Memorial Drive Tennis Courts, the northern sections of...
, with the City of Adelaide as a backdrop. The office occupied by Sarah, Mark and Kon was the BCFR Accounting offices in Melbourne Street, North Adelaide
Melbourne Street, North Adelaide
Melbourne Street is a street situated in the Adelaide suburb of North Adelaide, South Australia. It is the main commercial area of the second-largest of the three grids that comprise North Adelaide...
. The fish and chip
Fish and chips
Fish and chips is a popular take-away food in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada...
shop was in Fourth Avenue, Klemzig
Klemzig, South Australia
Klemzig is a suburb of Adelaide in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield. It is the location of the first settlement of German emigrants to Australia in the 19th century and is named after a village near the city of Zuellichau in southeastern Brandenburg in the German state of Prussia, where they...
. The car scenes were all shot in Woodville
Woodville, South Australia
Woodville is a suburb of Adelaide, situated about 8 kilometres northwest of the Central Business District of Adelaide. It lies within the City of Charles Sturt. The postcode of Woodville is 5011...
. The end scenes were shot at Joe’s Kiosk, Henley Beach
Henley Beach, South Australia
Henley Beach is a seaside suburb of Adelaide in the City of Charles Sturt local government area , South Australia.-External links:*...
, which has since become a famous meeting place, for South Australian politicians.
Cast
The main cast includes:- Terry Rogers as Charlie
- Peter Evangelista as Frank
- Saxon Cordeaux as Mark
- Georgii SpeakmanGeorgii SpeakmanGeorgina Amy Speakman is an Australian actress. She was born on 24 April 1982 in Adelaide, South Australia.-Early life:Originally from Adelaide, South Australia, Georgii has been performing in musical theater, school plays and singing and dancing since the age of five.-Career:Georgii has had major...
as Katie - Frank Romeo as Kon
- Sam Tripodi as Angelo
- Peter Michell as Damon
- Irina Samorukov as Shakira
- Chloe Gardner as Sarah
- David Moczurad as Zoran
- Gabriel Damiani as Uncle Vito
- Rob Jano as Ralph Del Ponte
- Elena CarapetisElena CarapetisElena Carapetis is an Australian actress of Greek and Cypriot descent, known for her role as Jackie Kassis in Heartbreak High, as well as numerous other television series and theatre roles.-Biography:...
as Isabella - Kimberley Hart as Lisa
- Anthony 'LehmoLehmoAnthony Lehmann, better known by his nickname Lehmo, is an Australian comedian, radio personality, television personality and movie actor. He is probably best known as co-hosting Before the Game for Channel Ten, and co-hosting Triple M's drive time show with Wil Anderson...
' Lehmann as Leechy
In order to play the role of Leechy, well-known media personality Anthony 'Lehmo
Lehmo
Anthony Lehmann, better known by his nickname Lehmo, is an Australian comedian, radio personality, television personality and movie actor. He is probably best known as co-hosting Before the Game for Channel Ten, and co-hosting Triple M's drive time show with Wil Anderson...
' Lehmann flew to Adelaide for six hours. Once shooting was completed, he broadcast his afternoon drive-time radio show from a sister Adelaide radio station, before flying back to Sydney.
Soundtrack
Music by Ikochi, Fighterpilot, Laura Hill, King Daddy, Pornland, Tracer, Fireballs, Matthew Salleh, Maeder, M Williams, Andrew 'Pange' Niemoeller, The Huckleberry Swedes, Sonic Monkey, and The Secret Game.Critical reception
The film received a positive reception from critics. An account of the premiere was broadcast nationally by SBS One, the Australian television network most closely associated with soccer. Filmink embraced it as "a good underdog film", placing it in the same class as The CastleThe Castle
The Castle is a novel by Franz Kafka. In it a protagonist, known only as K., struggles to gain access to the mysterious authorities of a castle who govern the village for unknown reasons...
, Crackerjack and Two Hands
Two Hands
Two Hands is a 1999 Australian crime film, written and directed by Gregor Jordan. The film stars Heath Ledger as Jimmy, a young man in debt to Pando, a local gangster, played by Bryan Brown and also stars Mariel McClorey, Evan Sheaves, Susie Porter, and Rose Byrne. It won the Australian Film...
. The first screening at the Adelaide Film Festival
Adelaide Film Festival
The Adelaide Film Festival is a biennial and non-competitive film festival held over two weeks in late February, in Adelaide, South Australia....
was sold out. The cinema manager described a later screening on 26 March 2009 at the Mercury Cinema as their "biggest night in thirty-five years".
Additional awards and nominations
- Nominated for Best Feature at the 2009 SASA Awards (Adelaide).
See also
- Cinema of AustraliaCinema of AustraliaCinema of Australia, more commonly referred to as the Australian film industry, refers to the system of production, distribution, and exhibition of films in Australia. Film production commenced in Australia in 1906 with the production of The Story of the Kelly Gang, the earliest feature film made...
- List of Australian films
- Australian films of 2009Australian films of 2009-2009:...
- List of films set in Australia
- List of films shot in Adelaide