Watch Around the Block

Around the Block is a 2013 Australian-American drama film that tells the story of an Aboriginal boy named Liam (played by Hunter Page-Lochard) who lives in the Redfern area of Sydney. The movie is directed by Sarah Spillane and features a stellar cast that includes Christina Ricci, Aaron L. McGrath, and Ruby Rose. Liam lives in a poor, rough neighborhood where gangs and drug dealers rule the streets. Despite his surroundings, he is a talented artist and has aspirations to attend the National Art School in Sydney. However, his dysfunctional family life and the difficulties he faces as an Indigenous teenager living in poverty make his dreams seem impossible. His mother is an alcoholic and his father is in jail for murder. He is constantly battling with his violent brother, who is involved with a local street gang.

One day, Liam meets an engaging drama teacher named Missy (played by Christina Ricci), who has just started working at his school. She recognizes Liam's talent and encourages him to channel his creativity and emotions through his art. She also introduces him to the vibrant world of theatre, where he finds a sense of belonging and an outlet for his pain.

As Liam starts to explore his artistic side, he begins to challenge the status quo of his community. He becomes involved in a protest against a land development company that is planning to build luxury apartments on Aboriginal sacred land. The proposed development would also displace many of the low-income residents of his neighborhood, including Liam's family. With the help of his drama class and Missy, Liam becomes a leading activist in the protest movement.

Meanwhile, Liam also develops a close relationship with an American girl named Rebekah (played by Ruby Rose), who has just moved to Australia. Rebekah is on a journey of self-discovery and is trying to understand her own identity as a mixed-race person. As she gets to know Liam and learns about his culture, she becomes passionate about the cause and joins the protest movement.

The movie explores themes of love, family, identity, and social justice. It depicts the struggles and beauty of living in a diverse, multicultural community and the power of art and activism to bring about change. The performances of the cast, especially Hunter Page-Lochard and Christina Ricci, are outstanding, and the cinematography captures the vibrant energy of Redfern.

Overall, Around the Block is a compelling and thought-provoking movie that sheds light on the issues faced by Indigenous people in Australia and the importance of preserving cultural heritage. It is a story about hope and resilience in the face of adversity and the transformative power of art and love.

Around the Block is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.