The Australian Dream review – a stinging examination of racism in sports

Across the world, sports and racism have a unique relationship. Teams with virulently racist fans are boosted immensely by minority ethnic players, who are simultaneously loved and vilified by bigoted white spectators. The powerful documentary The Australian Dream tackles this phenomenon in the realm of Aussie Rules Football, through the story of Adam Goodes, an all-time great of the sport who faced vile abuse due to his Aboriginal heritage.

Goodes’s talents and championship wins swiftly made him a role model for his fans and Aboriginal kids all across Australia but, after speaking up about the racial slurs hurled from the stands, found himself caught in ugly howls of fury from racists, furious that they’d been called out. The Australian Dream effectively captures the rage and sadness caused by these insults and its cursory but emotional study of Aboriginal history, particularly the forced family separations of the ‘60s, is deeply moving.

Goodes is a compelling lead: smart, charming, and endlessly patient even when he has no obligation to be, making the unfiltered hate that much more stinging. Older Aboriginal players bring depth and history to proceedings with their perspectives, though too much screen time is given to Andrew Bolt, an obvious bigot who brings in the other side of the racism “debate.” It’s one thing to showcase the kind of anger that met Goodes every time he spoke up, and quite another to let a devil’s advocate racist explain his views as though they’re valid contributions to the conversation.

This blip aside, though, The Australian Dream is motivated by justice and a desire to see Australia change for the better. That hope and passion comes off the screen in waves.

The Australian Dream is now available on various VOD platforms.