Human Rights Arts & Film Festival. Human Rights, Australia.

PLAYING IN THE SHADOWS

Australia, 2008, English, 53 mins.
Director/Writer/Producers: Marco Ianniello, Sascha Ettinger Epstein
Genre: Documentary
Themes: Poverty, Homelessness, Education, Rights of the child
Related Links: http://www.missionaustralia.com.au/, http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/SALV/LANDING/PC_60977.html

Sydney International Film Festival 2008 - Official Selection

Synopsis

Woolloomooloo, just moments from Sydney's CBD, is home to one of the city's most infamous housing estates. Playing In The Shadows spans a year in the life of a handful of the estate's kids as they fight to make the cut for an after-dark basketball team, a way out of a life roaming the streets and spiralling downhill.

Celine is energetic and adorable, despite having a sick dad, no mum and more siblings than she can remember. 11-year-old Jaidyn keeps falling foul of his teachers and the police. Jerry is a gentle giant with a love for cooking and Ainsley's determination is unparalleled, but who will make it into the team and who can turn their life around?

From an award-winning documentary team, Playing In The Shadows is a moving, uplifting and unique insight into a town next-door but a world away.