Release Date – TBC, Cert – TBC, Run-time – 1 hour 40 minutes, Director – Thomas Charles Hyland
Following a group of neurodiverse students as they rehearse and perform in their school’s musical about singer John Farnham.
“What I want this show to say is ‘you don’t give us enough credit for what we can do'” says aspiring pilot Josh. He’s one of the students in Bullengarook Secondary performing in the school’s production about a group of students travelling through time to meet different iterations of Australian singer John Farnham for their school project. Shortly before Josh says this fellow student Chelsea simply states “I did it”. I watched with heartfelt emotion, perhaps akin to a pride you can feel for a total stranger, thinking ‘yeah, you did’.
Throughout we get to know the students and their outlooks on life as they get to know their characters and rehearse ready for the big performance. From auditions to the day of the musical we form a personal bond with each of the neurodiverse teens and what they get out of being a part of this production. Director Thomas Charles Hyland observes the central focuses with love, care and respect. This is a film made with joy, emitting tonnes of it in the process. It has an infectious nature which draws you in, and heightens the emotions of the personal stories on display.
We see Halle in particular preparing to perform Farnham’s biggest hit You’re The Voice, which she dedicates to her late aunt. When we finally arrive at the moment it packs a powerful punch, perhaps the highlight of the film, it’s hard not to smile as the moment unfolds. In fact, for much of the run-time I had a huge, warm grin across my face at just what was happening on screen. Both from the achievements and honesty being displayed, the students having a place to feel comfortable – we see one student, Elyse, dealing with her anxiety, being at Bullengarook has helped with this due to a much more understanding and welcoming environment – and also the natural humour that’s in place.
This isn’t a film that punches down, there’s not a hint of malice or cruelty anywhere near it. The focus is rightfully on the students, while we see the teachers and how they lead classes and rehearsals the teenagers at the heart of the film are always kept at the centre. There’s something refreshing about their openness when it comes to their emotions and how they deal with things, and simply talk about the thoughts in their minds – “sometimes I scream into my pillow just to let all the bad out”. Before a group of her peers Chelsea delivers a speech better than most, it’s hard not to be affected by it, and Josh overflows with confidence and assertiveness.
It’s hard to state just how much joy this film brought to my autistic heart and mind. Seeing the figures we spend a rollercoaster 100 minutes with excel and open up makes for a truly affecting piece of work. Stirring the emotions while creating plenty of uplift along the way. The camera is an inquisitive observer of these events, enquiring on an equal level and letting everything naturally happen before it. Making for an even more engaging, enjoyable and entertaining piece of work. Bringing about the laughs, stirring the emotions and creating a wonderful display of inspiring achievement. My first note during the film was about the big smile across my face. My last: “I’m happy they were happy and proud of themselves.”
This Is Going To Be Big is a joyous display of achievement, packing in the natural emotion and keeping consistent focus on the central students. It’s hard not to be uplifted by the success of this inspiring group of people.
Just A Little Bit Random 