Scrum

Scrum, released in 2015, is an extraordinary documentary film that highlights and reflects on one of the most enigmatic, underappreciated, and highly physical team sports in the world: rugby. The film showcases a unique exploration of the sport through the eyes of the highly determined and impassioned players of the Sydney Convicts, Australia's first gay and inclusive rugby union team. From spotlighting the strenuous training patterns to delving into the lives and off-field stories of the squad members, Scrum’s narrative is a moving and empathetic insight into the world of rugby and the societal barriers that the players have to overcome.

Helmed by the renowned director Poppy Stockell, Scrum is not just an ordinary sports documentary. It emerges as an engaging tale focused on the underdogs, addressing diverse themes such as inclusivity, sports culture, personal resilience, LGBTQ+ issues, and the struggle against prejudice. The film revolves around multiple key members of the Sydney Convicts team where different faces like Brennan Bastyovanszky, Pearse Egan, and others play out their real-life roles.

One of the central characters in the film is Brennan Bastyovanszky, an incredibly determined and tenacious player who engages viewers with his charm and disciplined mentality. His narrative beautifully culminates Scrum's cardinal theme of breaking stereotypes around the tough sport. Pearse Egan is presented as another critical force in the movie, an inspirational figure of courage who enables viewers to explore and understand the unique dynamics and attributes of the world of rugby beyond its rough exterior.

Scrum narrates a visually stunning story amid the grueling scrums, the enthralling demonstrations of power, and the focused eyes on the bouncing ball. But it also pulls viewers emotionally into the ebbs and flows of the rugby players' lives. The film brilliantly explores the players' personal journeys towards resilience and self-acceptance in a game often associated with the classical norms of masculinity.

The narrative is layered with multiple personal accounts of the players, dealing with their personal conflicts, the societal prejudices they face, and their struggle for acceptance in the professional sports domain, all the while focusing on the primary aspiration that unites them: their dedication to rugby. As the film progresses, the viewers are treated to an exhilarating spectacle of rugby, showcasing the players' determination, strength, and raw passion.

The film stands as a testament to the dedication and commitment that sport requires, and provides a unique insight into the otherwise overlooked subculture in the rugby world. The cinematography plays an instrumental role in stirring the essence of the film, combining the agitated movements of the rugby field with the quiet, introspective moments of the players off the field. The action on the field is as mercilessly authentic as the emotions captured off the field.

The film breaks the stereotype of gay men being unfit for the toughness and grit that rugby demands and provides a refreshing portrayal of athletes from the LGBTQ+ community fighting their fights, both on and off the field. Rather than solely focusing on the struggle for acceptance or the players' sexuality, Scrum is empowered by its ability to portray these men as truly passionate athletes first, and everything else second.

As viewers are led through each player’s highs and lows, victory and defeat, trials and triumphs, Scrum is, at its core, a film about humanity's relentless fight against adversity and the victory of spirit over societal norms. It captures rugby in its most visceral form, offers a more profound understanding of homosexuality in sports, and emphasizes that the love for the game overrides any form of discrimination.

Scrum is truly a pioneering endeavour that uncovers an otherwise unseen narrative in the sporting world, an in-depth and inspirational account of bravery, determination, and the universal love of a sport. The film morphs the perception around the sport and its athletes, attracting a broad audience base worldwide. It is a captivating watch not just for sports enthusiasts but for anyone who believes in the power of human spirit and unity.

In summary, Scrum is a captivating, inspiring, and thought-provoking exploration of the human spirit, personal identity and the love for rugby, told through the lens of one of the sport's most underrepresented communities. The Sydney Convicts’ dedication, resilience, and tenacity echo powerfully throughout the film and serve to challenge societal stereotypes, redefine norms, and deliver an undeniably potent assertion that athlethism and orientation aren’t mutually exclusive.