Okay, I only went to see this because I know one of the ‘background talent’ – that is the term director, writer, producer and star Harvey Zielinski used in his introduction to the film.

It is a surprisingly understated and heartfelt story about the importance of acceptance within your family for who you are. It is a trans story but it resonates strongly with anyone who has felt they have not lived up to the notion that a parent has had of them.

The film opens to young adult Jake (Zielinski) at a family dinner at his twin brother Sam’s house (also played by Zielinski). They now seem identical but Jake was born with a different name and a different understanding by his family of who he was. Their mother obviously hasn’t gotten over it and has the kind of sour puss face that we dread when we go home.

There is contention around Sam and Jake’s father, Lee (Kieran Darcy-Smith) who seemingly exited the family sometime back and is now dying. Sam was always his favourite, but he is adamant that he won’t go and see him before he dies. Perhaps in a fit of pique or curiousity to see if their father will accept him on his deathbed, Jake decides to travel to the country town where he is living.

As they look so alike, it’s not surprising that Lee, his best mate Ken (Nicholas Cassim) and Ken’s son Mark (David Howell) all mistake Jake for Sam. And Sam was a much beloved bloke’s bloke who did all the right things that men are supposed to do. He was really good at violent video games, football, drinking and doing stupid things while inebriated.

It’s a heady proposition for Jake, who has spent most of his life feeling unaccepted and overlooked. It’s unsurprising that he goes along with the ruse and this idea of mistaken identity is a theme that underpins the story. It’s not just the masquerade of gender , or being transgender, but the identities we hide behind and hide from others that is universal. Because, as Jake is finding out what it is like to be just one of the guys, he is also finding out about long hidden secrets.

This is an interesting take on rural masculinity, maybe masculinity more broadly but I really felt it resonate with my experiences of Australian country life. Jake’s experiences of being accepted revolve around action and performance and competition, never around vulnerability or honesty.

Zielinski’s performance is remarkable as both Sam and Jake, something that seems all the more laudable when you remember that he was also writing, directing and co-producing. There was an interesting question in the Q&A session afterwards where he gave some insight into the complexities of playing two characters, and seeing himself up on screen.

And the background talent, my friend Michael, was remarkable! Watch for the guy in the hat at the barbecue handballing the football. Excellent characterisation of how to participate in an Australian barbecue. On being a part of the film, he said:

I feel really proud to have participated in some small way over the two weeks we were involved in the BBQ scene – not just for the display of my football skills – more so for standing up for people of all persuasions when the calls for cast members drew some really nasty online comments and vitriol (as the internet is prone to do).

Harvey, Pip and the crew were so good to work with and watch create the movie, in camera, in the field and `i think most importantly in the culture of the cast and crew. For something that I appeared in so fleetingly, it somehow feels quite important.