Cup of Dreams

Superb reality doc showing NZ'ers and their passion for rugby and how it has influenced the culture. The rugby world cup is the pinnacle of the competition and the greatest rugby playing nation has only ever managed one win out of the 7 events This doc follows the involvement of the director and his family with their personal involvement over the years and how the trials and tribulations have affected them It highlights the famous players It documents the terrible losses It shows one family who probably represents the vast majority of the population and how they coped or didn't during those years And now it is 2011 the next event. The All Blacks have been coined chokers, never going to win and so on. Shaw takes you through the build up and behind the scenes in the mainstream as well as everyday life in New Zealand and how the lives are integrated with rugby everyday

Julian has managed to produce here a deep insight into the psyche of an All Black supporter, and all the pain that goes with it. Four years in the making, it takes the viewer through the ups, and many downs, of the AB's journey to the fateful 2007 World Cup where they went in as favourites and once again returned without the trophy. Intertwined is the story of Julian's own relationship with his father, and I get the impression that supporting the AB's becomes part of everyday life in NZ, and impacts relationships, friendships and employment. As an Australian it has helped me understand what commitment it has taken to follow the AB's over the past 20 years, and made me pleased that they were finally able to win on home soil in 2011 and shake off the tag of chokers...almost! I am looking forward to sequel, and the jubilation (or dare I say relief) of the 2007-2011 campaign.