The Final Winter

Rugby league is arguably the toughest form of football on the planet played by men that play the game hard and live even harder. Set in Sydney in the 1980s, the movie is a drama about the effects upon the players, supporters and the game itself as the sport grows from being the semi-pro suburban game it's been for nearly 100 years into a fully professional international sport. Superbly written and acted by Matt Nable, a former football player along with other former players mixed in with some internationally recognised actors, the story is a realistic snapshot into the lives of people for whom the game is a weekend escape from their otherwise ordinary lives. That's all about to change as big business realises the potential the game holds leaving those clinging to the old ways in their wake.

Directed by Jane Forrest, The Final Winter leans on a strong ensemble — Matt Nable, Nathaniel Dean, Matthew Johns — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2007.