Summer City

Summer City is a 1977 Australian film directed by Christopher Fraser that explores the budding youth culture and rebellious spirit of the 1970s. The film stars a young John Jarratt, Phillip Avalon, and Steve Bisley who help bring the story to life. Set against the backdrop of a surfing competition, the movie centers on four friends who take a road trip to the wild and reckless environment of the coastal town of Newcastle.

The four friends, Sandy (Avalon), Boo (Jarratt), Robbie (Bisley) and Scollop are young men who yearn for adventure, excitement, and freedom. They are high-spirited, impulsive, and eager to push the boundaries of societal norms. They dream of living life spontaneously and unconventionally, much to the disdain of their parents and authority figures.

Summer City explores the lives of these four friends, taking the audience on a journey of self-discovery through friendship, love, culture, and adventure. The film highlights their misadventures as they embrace the carefree summer life and all its challenges.

The film is set against the backdrop of a surfing competition in Newcastle. With the sun-drenched beaches and endless waves, the friends are drawn to the carefree existence of the surfing community. They embrace the sense of freedom that comes from living in the moment and the thrill of the unknown. However, they soon discover that there is more to life than just surf and sun.

Summer City highlights the cultural differences between the youth of the 1970s and the older generation's traditional values. The film shows that the younger generation was more interested in enjoying their freedom, expressing their individuality, and exploring non-conventional ways of life. They were not afraid to challenge the status quo and question the established order.

As the friends continue to explore the new culture, they begin to face the consequences of their impulsivity. They are confronted by the harsher realities of life and the consequences of their actions. In particular, Robbie and Scollop's relationship with local girl Caroline reveals their vulnerability to the forces of love, loyalty, and honor.

Summer City is an embodiment of Australia's youthful culture of the 1970s. The film shows the importance of living in the moment, enjoying life, and taking risks. With its exploration of youthful rebellion, freedom, and challenges, the film remains a classic among Australian youths.

The film's themes are reinforced by the outstanding performances of the actors, who capture the essence of the characters' carefree, high-spirited nature. John Jarratt is captivating as the reckless and charming Boo, while Phillip Avalon brings a sense of vulnerability to his character, Sandy. Steve Bisley delivers an excellent performance as Robbie, the leader of the pack.

The film's direction and cinematography are excellent, with the visuals of the sun-drenched beaches and endless waves capturing the essence of the Australian summer. The film's soundtrack provides the perfect accompaniment, with classic Australian rock music from the likes of Sherbet, Dragon, and Skyhooks.

Overall, Summer City is an entertaining, exciting, and thought-provoking film that captures the spirit of youthful rebellion and freedom of the 1970s. It remains an Australian classic that continues to resonate with audiences to this day.