What is The Sapphires about?
The Sapphires is a 2012 Australian musical drama about four Aboriginal women from a mission in country Victoria who form a soul singing group and perform for American troops in the Vietnam War in 1968.
The film is inspired by the real story of the mother and aunts of writer Tony Briggs, who wrote the original stage play in 2004. It was directed by Wayne Blair.
The group is discovered by Dave Lovelace, a struggling Irish talent scout played by Chris O'Dowd, who convinces them to switch from country music to soul. Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens and Miranda Tapsell played the singers.
Music and themes
The soundtrack features soul classics such as I Heard It Through the Grapevine and Land of a Thousand Dances, with Jessica Mauboy singing lead on many tracks.
Alongside the music and comedy, the film explores racism, the Stolen Generations and the challenges faced by Aboriginal women in the 1960s.
The Sapphires premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012 and won many Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts awards, including Best Film. It was a major box office success in Australia.
Did You Know?
Jessica Mauboy first became famous as runner-up on Australian Idol in 2006.