It’s 2023 World Pride in Sydney and Mardi Gras is in full swing. Ian Roberts, the poster boy for acceptance in footy, is nowhere to be seen – the NRL is not invited due to some Manly players refusing to wear the rainbow colours for Pride Round. Ian has one question: Why is he still the only openly gay man in the game?
We cut to the 1970s – Ian grows up in an ultra-conservative household, where racism, misogyny homophobia was the norm. Ian struggles with feeling at odds with his family’s belief that being attracted to the same sex was not something to be proud of or spoken of. But Ian learns to channel that inner turmoil on the footy field.
Ian’s a gifted player, showing physical dominance and an aggressive style and comes to an NRL scout’s notice. After being asked to join South Sydney in 1985, he has enormous success. However, soon sightings of Ian on Oxford Street become the talk of the town.
Ian excels in the 1990s and he becomes the highest paid player in footy, signing with Manly. But his life changes when he takes troubled street kid, Arron Light, under his wing. Tragedy is not far away…Arron’s body is found years later, the murderer allegedly the same man who molested Ian when he was younger.
Ian finally comes out publicly in 1995 and a media frenzy erupts. Ian struggles with the attention, develops an addiction and retires a few years later. Ian is accepted into NIDA and starts a fresh career as an actor.
The years pass and Ian’s mental health issues start to overwhelm him, but a new relationship and a pivotal role at Qtopia Museum dedicated to LGBTQIA+ history and education, helps him to heal and reflect on what’s changed, what hasn’t and where to go from here.
Ian has shattered stereotypes and has challenged the deeply entrenched homophobia in men’s sport. Ian is a passionate and very public advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, mental health awareness, and inclusion in sport and this film is a testament to his courage and strength.
Heath Davis is a multi-award-winning and AACTA nominated filmmaker. Most recently, Davis produced the feature length documentary. The Blind Sea, which premiered at the 2024 Sydney Film Festival and was released on over 100 screens in Australia and NZ.
As a writer/director, Davis has created the critically acclaimed feature films Christmess, Locusts, Book Week and Broke.
He is currently in production on the upcoming feature documentary The Man Who Ate a Succulent Chinese Meal.
