Boys Grammar

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Boys Grammar is a short film created by the producer and director team of Justin Davies and Dean Francis.

Produced at the internationally acclaimed Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS), the film addresses the ritualized bullying and sexual assault many male students face at the hands of the private school system.

[edit] Story

The storyline tells of a male student coming to terms with his sexuality and the resulting violence perpetrated on him by the private school’s bullies.

[edit] Background

According to Producer Justin Davies, the school and the incident portrayed in the film is an amalgamation of real life events that have been reported in the press and personal events that have affected the lives of both Davies and Francis.

“We both believe a culture exists in the elite private school system that turns a blind eye to endemic bullying. Many parents send their children to these schools and look at this bullying as an intrinsic right of passage – a toughening process that will produce the ruthlessness required for their children to become the future leaders of Australia.”

Director Dean Francis paints an even grimmer picture. “These institutions of privilege promote environments where humiliation and sexual violence is the norm. At these schools, bullies are often lauded because they either come from prominent families or happen to be the school’s brightest young sporting heroes.”

The fictitious world of Sammael Boys College mirrors a world both Davies and Francis have lived. It’s a world of masculinity characterised by competitiveness, hostility and conformity. “If you are different, whether it is because of your skin colour, your physical weakness or sexual orientation, you are singled out and punished - both verbally and physically,” explained Francis.