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While the Men Are Away

  • TV Series
  • 2023
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
224
YOUR RATING
Max McKenna, Matt Testro, Phoebe Grainer, Jana Zvedeniuk, Googoorewon Knox, and Michela De Rossi in While the Men Are Away (2023)
Drama

While the men are off fighting in World War II, two Women's Land Army recruits arrive in the country and undergo a course in race relations, rural politics, farming, spirituality, sexuality ... Read allWhile the men are off fighting in World War II, two Women's Land Army recruits arrive in the country and undergo a course in race relations, rural politics, farming, spirituality, sexuality and personal growth.While the men are off fighting in World War II, two Women's Land Army recruits arrive in the country and undergo a course in race relations, rural politics, farming, spirituality, sexuality and personal growth.

  • Creators
    • Alexandra Burke
    • Kim Wilson
    • Monica Zanetti
  • Stars
    • Michela De Rossi
    • Max McKenna
    • Phoebe Grainer
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    224
    YOUR RATING
    • Creators
      • Alexandra Burke
      • Kim Wilson
      • Monica Zanetti
    • Stars
      • Michela De Rossi
      • Max McKenna
      • Phoebe Grainer
    • 6User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Episodes8

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 season2023

    Photos14

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    Top cast72

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    Michela De Rossi
    Michela De Rossi
    • Francesca
    • 2023
    Max McKenna
    Max McKenna
    • Gwen
    • 2023
    Phoebe Grainer
    • Kathleen
    • 2023
    Matt Testro
    Matt Testro
    • Robert
    • 2023
    Jana Zvedeniuk
    Jana Zvedeniuk
    • Esther
    • 2023
    Shaka Cook
    • Murray
    • 2023
    Benedict Hardie
    Benedict Hardie
    • Des
    • 2023
    Xavier Morris
    • Homer
    • 2023
    Di Adams
    Di Adams
    • Mrs. Bushell
    • 2023
    Helen Chebatte
    Helen Chebatte
    • Mrs. Toohey
    • 2023
    Warren Lee
    • Mr. Wong
    • 2023
    Googoorewon Knox
    • Neville
    • 2023
    Sarah Woods
    Sarah Woods
    • Mrs. Arnott
    • 2023
    Katrina Foster
    • Toni…
    • 2023
    Benny Wang
    Benny Wang
    • Reg Pow Guard
    • 2023
    Tara Morice
    Tara Morice
    • Enid
    • 2023
    Evan Stanhope
    Evan Stanhope
    • Herbie
    • 2023
    Mercia Deane-Johns
    Mercia Deane-Johns
    • Mrs. Whitmore
    • 2023
    • Creators
      • Alexandra Burke
      • Kim Wilson
      • Monica Zanetti
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews6

    6.2224
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    Featured reviews

    7theladyhawk

    Quite liked it

    I quite liked this. It's not really believable so as long as you suspend belief it's quite light and enjoyable. The modern day sensibilities juxtaposed against the WW2 backdrop is interested. Sometimes it works, but sometimes it's really jarring. I'm not sure the storyline really work in reality and there is very little character development

    I quite liked this. It's not really believable so as long as you suspend belief it's quite light and enjoyable. The modern day sensibilities juxtaposed against the WW2 backdrop is interested. Sometimes it works, but sometimes it's really jarring. Xxxxxxxx.
    6turkeytom33

    A quirky little show. That could have been better.

    If you are after a historical accurate portrait of the Women's Land Army in Australia during WW2, then this is not it. That story still needs to be told.

    This is a story set during WW2 with today's sensibilities overlaid on it.

    To the writers - if you are going to set the story in WW2 at least get some basic facts right. The Mayor gives a speech about the fall of Singapore and mentions kamikazes. At the time of the fall of Singapore there had been no kamikaze incidents, and the word would have been unknown in Australia.

    The show is a comedy/drama combined with sexual awakening stories of the two young female characters.

    Reasonably entertaining, good acting, some good scenes, but some clunkers as well.

    Interesting they hired an Italian actor to play the farm owner. I suppose for the story authenticity's sake and/or boost the chances of sale of the series to Europe.
    9kimmgould

    Quirky, sweet, revealing drama

    The characters and stories that don't make the cut for the ANZAC legend - the women who don't love their husbands, the lgbti+ community, Indigenous and neurodivergent people and so much more. All the stories that weren't told about the war are here.

    Its not pergormative, just excellent quirky Australian drama with the bonus of some quality lesbian sex scenes.

    And boringly, I need to add 200 more characters so I could mention that it was sweet, funny, sad. It started with a slightly cartoonish quality but as the characters are revealed it gets more real, poignant and the ludicrous overriding of diversity becomes more obvious.
    6Spaceship55

    Enjoyable, quirky series

    Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It's a fun series, a little boring at times but overall a unique perspective and quite different to other Aussie comedy/dramas. Worth a watch.

    The costumes and sets were great, and the cinematography was the highlight.

    The diversity was a great aspect to the show and I hope more Australian filmmakers take this onboard and follow suite.

    At times the romantic elements felt a little too contrived, and wasn't handled with the nuance one would hope. The cast did a good job with some at times sketchy writing. Overall I think the show did a good job at bringing a quirky take to some serious themes.
    10TheT-Rex

    Great Aussie series!

    I binge watched this series in one go and really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the way the characters developed over the 8 episodes, we're not talking huge changes but adequate enough to keep the viewer watching & creates a bridge for a 2nd season.

    For anyone feeling it's a bit "modern" and "woke", the queer community has always been here and we've always gravitated towards each other, and we typically have other social outcasts as part of our circle, so it truly makes sense that there are a few queers living together and had a close connection with an Aboriginal woman and her family.

    The serious and devastating stories of Australia in WW2 have been told very well many times over the years, this is more lighthearted and less fact focused. People get so caught up in whether or not a show is factual or realistic enough - sometimes it's just enough to watch & enjoy.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The fictional town of Bush is noted to have been founded in 1822 by Lachlan Macquarie Murdoch Bush Jnr.

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    FAQ

    • How many seasons does While the Men Are Away have?
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    Details

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    • Release date
      • September 27, 2023 (Australia)
    • Country of origin
      • Australia
    • Official site
      • Media Release
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • While the Men are Away
    • Production companies
      • Arcadia
      • Red Arrow Studios International
      • Screen Australia
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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    Max McKenna, Matt Testro, Phoebe Grainer, Jana Zvedeniuk, Googoorewon Knox, and Michela De Rossi in While the Men Are Away (2023)
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