My First Summer

I expected to be bored but It was so wholesome and sad and just perfect. I just know that im going to rewatch it a lot of times. Im already emotionaly attatched.

A sweet, tender & heartfelt story of first love & sapphic romance, My First Summer captures the intoxicating feeling of falling in love and the restorative power of human connection with all its warmth, purity & innocence in tact. Beautifully anchored by arresting performances & vibrant chemistry between its leading ladies, the film addresses the themes of loss, support, intimacy & sexuality through their amity.

Written & directed by Katie Found in what's her directorial debut, the story features a simple, small-scale premise which Found renders on screen with unfailing gentleness & compassion. The connection & affection that develops between the two girls isn't hurried, unfolds at their pace of comfort and feels organic throughout. And despite being only 78 mins long, the flow of events remains relaxed & breezy from start to finish.

The radiant camerawork, bright colour palette & warm lighting aptly reflect the comfort the teenagers feel when they are together while the sexual tension between them is allowed to build up gradually. Markella Kavenagh articulates her character's trauma & timidness with sincerity. Maiah Stewardson exudes an infectious spirit & life-affirming energy that just fits her role. And the score & songs add their own flavours to the mix.

Overall, My First Summer is comforting, heartwarming & effervescent in its portrait of young love and is crafted with honesty & told with affection. The film doesn't try to overcomplicate things, keeps the romance accessible, and basks in the blossoming relationship between its characters. A pleasant surprise that commences the debutant director's filmmaking journey on a promising note, this Aussie teenage romance is definitely worth your time.

Warning. Suicide content. I watched this movie this morning in bed feeling miserable with a cold awaiting a Covid test. I recommend watching it in bed, somehow feeling cocooned by my doona helped me be more fully emmersed and comforted as required. What a gem of a movie! I love Australian film and still very much enjoy handing over my money at the box office to take a seat in front of the big screen whenever a new Australian film is released.. Somehow I missed this one. This poignant story explores the honesty of what it is to be a girl and the unpredictability of transitioning to womanhood. It weaves the complexities of truth, trust, trauma and loss with the terrifyingly wonderful ideas of love and friendship. The sensitivity in which the difficult subject of mental Ill health and suicide are dealt with is to be applauded. The gentleness takes nothing away from the experience. Washed with a quintessential Australian flavour, the professionalism of two amazing young actresses and you are left feeling you have just been part of something very special.

Was so cute, even when it was evident that they had low budget I think they did it great, the photography was beautiful, the story kind of interesting, and the actresses were absolutely fenomenal, I was really surprised of how I liked it.

16 year old Claudia has lived a secluded life with her writer mother in rural Australia. When her mother dies, Claudia is bereft. She is discovered by Grace, a young local woman who cycles into her life on a red bike, dressed in a pink fairy skirt. Grace initiates the fragile and timid Claudia into new experiences and into the wider world she has previously only heard bad things about. She introduces her particularly to strawberry milk, but many other mysteries and delights.

It's an interesting scenario that develops, with beautifully scripted interactions between the girls.

The rustic setting is gorgeously portrayed, as are the innocent and lovely girls. (DOP Matthew Chuang) Gentle melodic songs mingle with magpie and chicken noises to sweeten the rich psychological drama.

Maiah Stewardson plays Grace, Claudia's mentor and saviour. Claudia is played by Markella Kavenagh (Lord of Rings tv serial).

This is a wonderful story, beautifully told. A highlight of the Adelaide Film Festival.