Head On (1998 film)
| Head On | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Ana Kokkinos |
| Produced by | Jane Scott |
| Screenplay by | Ana Kokkinos |
| Based on |
Loaded by Christos Tsiolkas |
| Starring |
|
| Edited by | Jill Bilcock |
| Distributed by |
Strand Releasing Umbrella Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English, Greek |
Head On is a 1998 Australian drama film directed by Ana Kokkinos. Based on the novel Loaded written by Christos Tsiolkas, it stars Alex Dimitriades as a young, repressed gay man of Greek descent living in inner city Melbourne. The film gained notoriety upon its release for its sexual explicitness, including a graphic masturbation scene performed by Dimitriades and numerous sex scenes. The film received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, with positive reviewers praising its stark realism, the lead performance by Dimitriades and the uncompromising subject matter.[1]
Plot synopsis
Over a 24-hour period, 19 year old Ari confronts his sexuality and his Greek background. Ari is obsessed with sex and has sexual encounters with multiple people, most of them gay, and attempts to fulfill one of his best friend's sister. At the same time, he's facing problems with his traditional Greek parents, who have no clue about his sexual and drug taking activities.
Cast
- Alex Dimitriades as Ari
- Paul Capsis as Johnny/Tula
- Julian Garner as Sean
- Tony Nikolakopoulos as Dimitri
- Elena Mandalis as Betty
- Damien Fotiou as Joe
- Eugenia Fragos as Sophia
- María Mercedes as Tasia
- Alex Papps as Peter
- Dora Kaskanis as Dina
- Vassili Zappa as Vassili
- Andrea Mandalis as Alex
Reception
Head On received mixed to positive reviews, earning a 63% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 6.4 rating on IMDb.
Head On divided the Greek community in Australia Kokkinos said in an interview with the LA Times.[2] Kokkinos said "what it did is that it opened up a dialogue between younger Greeks and their parents. What the film has done is that it has broken down barriers."[2]
Awards and nominations
- Best Actor (Alex Dimitriades, nominated)
- Best Costume Design (nominated)
- Best Direction (Ana Kokkinos, nominated)
- Best Editing (won)
- Best Film (nominated)
- Best Original Score (Ollie Olsen, nominated)
- Best Screenplay - Adapted (Andrew Bovell, Ana Kokkinos and Mira Robertson, nominated)
- Best Sound (nominated)
- Best Supporting Actor (Paul Capsis, nominated)
- Grand Jury Award: Outstanding Foreign Narrative Feature (Ana Kokkinos, won)
San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
- Best First Feature (Ana Kokkinos, won)
References
- ↑ "Head On - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
- 1 2 THOMAS, KEVIN (1999-09-02). "MOVIES : Collision With Life : Director looks at what it means to be Greek and Australian, gay and conflicted". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2015-10-06.