Sunday Arts Magazine

31 Oct 2021

Ana Kokkinos speaks with the Sunday Arts Magazine team about this 1998 iconic movie Head On

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Ana Kokkinos speaks with the Sunday Arts Magazine team about this 1998 iconic movie Head On

Starring Alex Dimitriades, Paul Capsis, Julian Garner and Elena Mandalis, Head On was the
groundbreaking debut feature film for Ana Kokkinos, who adapted the screenplay from Christos
Tsiolkas’ novel, Loaded and Lauded as ‘the film that helped change Australian culture’ for opening dialogue and breaking
down the barriers between younger Greeks and their parents, Head On was first released in
August, 1998, earning nine AACTA Award nominations (formerly AFI) and international accolades
stemming from its premiere at Cannes Film Festival, where it screened as part of the coveted
Directors Fortnight program.
Confronting and compelling, Head On is a bleak look at race, sexuality and class in contemporary
Australian society.
Alex Dimitriades is exceptional in his role as Ari, an angry, confused, nihilistic, unemployed 19-
year-old Greek Australian. The film follows an intense 24 hours of his life, fuelled by drugs, booze
and anonymous sex as he grapples with his sexuality and clashes with his traditional Greek family.
Twenty-three years after its cinema release, Head On is still regarded as an iconic Australian film,
particularly by the LGBTQ+ community.