My First Summer

Warning. Suicide content. I watched this movie this morning in bed feeling miserable with a cold awaiting a Covid test. I recommend watching it in bed, somehow feeling cocooned by my doona helped me be more fully emmersed and comforted as required. What a gem of a movie! I love Australian film and still very much enjoy handing over my money at the box office to take a seat in front of the big screen whenever a new Australian film is released.. Somehow I missed this one. This poignant story explores the honesty of what it is to be a girl and the unpredictability of transitioning to womanhood. It weaves the complexities of truth, trust, trauma and loss with the terrifyingly wonderful ideas of love and friendship. The sensitivity in which the difficult subject of mental Ill health and suicide are dealt with is to be applauded. The gentleness takes nothing away from the experience. Washed with a quintessential Australian flavour, the professionalism of two amazing young actresses and you are left feeling you have just been part of something very special.

I'm an Aussie who often does not enjoy Aussie films, despite my constant attempts to. This movie was a wonderful surprise - the setting was perfect for the story, and the young actors were so natural and authentic. The story is a beautiful coming of age tale, an innocent navigation of loss, human connection and sexuality. The music is lovely and the chemistry between the leads fills the screen. Nothing is over or under delivered - it all feels perfectly balanced. I'm hoping this film gets dvd release soon as I want to send it to friends overseas!

I loved everything about this film: the direction, the performances, the camera work, the editing, the music.....

Amazing effort for a first time feature director.

Looking forward to seeing what Katie Found does next!

I expected to be bored but It was so wholesome and sad and just perfect. I just know that im going to rewatch it a lot of times. Im already emotionaly attatched.

Honestly the most wholesome, joyful and sorrowful thing I have ever had the pleasure to watch. The acting is superb- Stewardson I have seen in other things so I knew her acting would be fantastic but Kavenagh has balances the action perfectly and thrives in a deprived character bringing true mental health awareness. Both of them are so skilled. Found has written a perfect script which they have managed almost without a flaw. The cinematography and music elevates this piece. Just lovely.