Uproar

Set in the early 1980s, the narrative centers on the 1981 Springbok tour and the ensuing anti-tour movements that ripple through Dunedin. The period is defined by strict school authority, intense rugby culture, and rising political consciousness among the Māori community. By 1984, Josh is pursuing an acting audition while the social tensions persist.

The story unfolds in Dunedin, a coastal city with a strong academic and cultural scene, where Josh and his family live and the school dominates social life. St Gilbert's School for Men represents the rigid, rugby-centered hierarchy that governs much of the characters' lives. The surrounding community, including Māori networks and activist circles, provides the backdrop for protests and social tension that drive the plot.

🧭 Identity

Josh navigates his mixed Māori and European heritage within a school and family that emphasize conformity. He wrestles with body image, cultural belonging, and a desire to redefine himself through acting rather than rugby. The film traces his emergence as a self-defined individual amid social expectations.

✊ Protest

Anti-tour activism threads through the story as Josh documents protests and witnesses police brutality. The community, including Samantha and Tui, confronts authority figures and interrogates injustice, highlighting the cost of political action. The protesting scenes reveal how ordinary people mobilize for change.

🎯 Ambition

Josh’s dream of acting clashes with a rugby-obsessed environment and parental expectations. His collaboration with Brother Madigan to pursue an audition shows the tension between art and sport. The narrative centers on choosing a path of personal passion despite institutional pressures.