synopsis

like my brother

The story of four young Australian Indigenous girls who dare to dream.

LIKE MY BROTHER is a coming-of-age story following Rina, Freda, Julianna and Jess 
on their journey from the community of the Tiwi, to Melbourne and a return to their island home, 
as they dare to dream of becoming stars of Aussie Rules football.  
This is a story of sport as a force for change and a bridge between worlds 
as the girls encounter triumphs and disappointments before defining success on their own terms.

MAIN PARTICIPANTS IN THE FILM

  • Freda puruntatameri

    FREDA IS SHY YET AMBITIOUS

    On the Tiwi Freda is known for being a quiet, natural born leader, but when it comes to world of elite footy, Freda will need to discover self-confidence if she is to realise her potential. In the Tiwi, the Puruntatameri name is strong - they are leaders, they are artists, they are footy players. From the get go, Freda’s warm ways win many friends, particularly with her Melbourne based coach, Brendan Major. But the death of her grandfather tests commitments. When Freda makes the decision to return home for the funeral, she returns to Melbourne, leaving her family in their sorrow. When Covid scuttles ambitions of Melbourne, as the youngest of the group, Freda continues to chase her goal by self nominating for the 2020 AFLW Draft. All eyes are on Freda - will she be the first? And then Freda discovers she is pregnant. Can this young mum juggle footy and a new baby?

  • Julianna Kerinaiua

    JULIANNA CARRIES THE WEIGHT OF FAMILY

    As the youngest in her family, Julianna is accustomed to others solving her problems. Yet she is ambitious, she is gorgeous, she is the glamorous one. While Julianna wants to study to be a nurse, she has no idea how or where. She wants to make her dad proud by playing AFLW, but is not offered a place to move to Melbourne. So what now? Julianna makes her dad proud by being the first in her family to graduate and then by giving him a grandson while holding down a job at a women’s safe house. As a young mum, Julianna has a great deal to juggle - will she be able to pull her beloved footy boots on once more?

  • Jess Stassi

    JESS HAS MATURITY

    She holds down a coveted, local job as a teaching assistant at Tiwi College, a place where she hoped her career would lie. However after impressing Essendon Football Club talent scouts, Jess was offered an opportunity to join the elite program. In Melbourne, Jess becomes a solid role model for the younger girls, but when an ankle injury rocks her confidence and the pressure to go home for the one year anniversary of her father’s death, Jess decides to pack her bags, miss out on playing in the Dreamtime round and head home, placing her dreams on hold. Back on the Tiwi, Jess becomes pregnant with her first child – proud of her journey and choices and ready to be a role model to her own baby, JoJo.

  • Arthurina 'Rina' Moreen

    Rina has raw talent

    Rina is the Rock Star who turns up to training in sunglasses. Arguably the most gifted of the girls, Rina is also the most shy - holding eye contact with people outside of her community is hard. On the way to school, Shane Tipuamantamerri (Tipa) “One of the girls in this car can go all the way.” Told by coaching staff she has rare and fine talent, Rina’s success depends totally on her. Just how far can Rina’s natural talent take her? When the need for hard work kicks in, what will she choose to do? Back on Country during Covid, Rina chances with gambling before finding a job as a gallery assistant at Jilamara Arts and Crafts centre and ultimately discovers what makes her happy.