I Wish I Were Stephanie V

I saw "I wish I were Stephanie V" without knowing anything about the film, except that it was promoted to be a so called "Chick Flick". I found much more in this film than superficial rivalry between women. The characters, both male and female, were all richly developed and I really cared what happened to them throughout the story. The script gave scope to each individual's story and the circumstances that molded their character and situation. I could connect with them all on some level, despite age, gender or ethnicity. And that was another aspect that this film handled well, the complexity of the multi-cultural societies we all live in, and how important it is not to "judge a book by its cover". An engaging and entertaining film for everyone to see.

What I love most about Stephanie V were the 3 female character and their intertwining stories and relations. It is great to see female characters further developed than the usual one-layer handbag view we usually get in mainstream movies- I would have even loved to know more! Chloe is fantastic at writing romantic comedies- the story is alive with characters you recognise and situations we find ourselves in too often. It is a positive and uplifting movie, where romance and love is not always an easy experience but in the end always worth it for what it shows us about ourselves. I saw people leaving I Wish I was Stephanie V with smiles on their faces- this is certainly something we want more of with the Australian cinema experience! Go Chloe!

I attended the screening of Stephanie V at the Women in Film festival in Sydney. Was very impressed with what was done with a relatively low budget. The film works well throughout and some of the older characters are particularly enjoyable. The star of the film is Chloe Traicos who also penned the script which is very solid. We can expect great things from Chloe in the future. The story follows three young girls in their quest for love and the hurdles, such as overprotective parents, they have to overcome. Chloe's performance is excellent and she interacts well with the top notch cast. Chloe plays the lead character Helen, a young Greek girl trying to find her way in love and life. Standout performances were Jill McKay. Her role as a traditional overprotective Greek ya ya is hilarious. Kain O'Keefe is also well cast as an energetic friend. I hope this film finds a decent Australian distributor and sales agent as it deserves to go far. I look forward to seeing it on the big screen around Australia.

This movie is the BEST!!! Told through the eyes of an immature Greek girl, Helen Andridis ( Chloe Traicos) it follows the lives of 3 very strong young ethnic Australian women and their trials and tribulations of trying to fit into society while their families attempt to make them hold on to their cultural identity. Helen the Greek girl, whose only love in life is tennis. However her Yaya ( Jill Mckay) wants nothing but for her to marry a nice Greek boy. Naz ( Aimee Falzon) a Pakistani girl, Helen's best friend who falls in love with an Australian boy going against the wishes of her ultra strict family who have an arranged marriage prepared. And of course the beautiful Eurasian Stephanie V. A girl who seemingly has everything but is really harboring a terrible secret.

This film is in the mold of Juno. Funny but sad. Over the top but real. It makes you laugh and cry and realize not everything is as it first appears.

Have to say as an Independent Comedy Nerd I absolutely enjoyed this wonderful movie. I saw it in New York a few years back and have been trying to get it on DVD but to no avail. It tells the story of 3 girls from 3 different cultural backgrounds living in Australia. Each girl has her own problems struggling with what is expected of her from her family and socially. This is especially seen with the character of Naz - a Muslim girl expected to marry a much older man and instead she falls for a much younger Australian boy. And with Helen - the Greek tennis nerd who has her heart set on the unobtainable Jimmy but then who unexpectedly falls for the macho Jewish stud - Tony. The story is a beautiful coming of age piece about the lives of these 3 girls and the unexpected twists and turns their lives take. And of course there is the element of tragedy when Helen realizes that the exquisitely beautiful Stephanie's life is far from perfect. The cast is superb. I especially like the larger than life Jill Mckay as Yaya. As well as Chloe Traicos who does a great job playing the nerdy Helen. Altogether a really enjoyable piece.