"A non-judgmental tale of self-acceptance, intergenerational solidarity and sapphic power." - Hanna Flint, Time Out
"Masterfully composed and richly executed, this is a cautionary smorgasbord of painful truths about Britain’s educational past." - Ben Turner, the Pink Lens
Opens June 16 | In Oakley’s powerful and pointed feature film debut, it is 1988 London, and Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government is poised to pass Section 28, which will prohibit the “promotion of homosexuality” and criminalize “teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality.” Under this oppression, middle school gym teacher Jean (Rosy McEwen, in a fearless turn that won her a British Film Academy award for Best Lead Performance) is forced to hide her identity as a lesbian. As pressure mounts from all sides, the arrival of a new student catalyzes a crisis that will challenge Jean to her core.
Awards & Nominations
Winner - Breakthrough Performance (tie - Rosy McEwen, Kerrie Hayes), Belfast Film Festival
Winner - Best Lead Performance (Rosy McEwen), Best Supporting Performance (Kerrie Hayes), Best Debut Screenwriter, Best Casting, British Film Independent Film Awards
Winner - Giornate Degli Autori's People Choice Award, Venice Film Festival
Winner - Best Actress (Rosy McEwen), Thessaloniki Film Festival