Film Lens
Stepping Out is a 1980 Australian documentary film directed by Chris Noonan. It follows an intellectually disabled theatre group as they prepare for their first public performance at the Sydney Opera House. The film captures the workshops and rehearsals led by Aldo Gennaro, focusing on their performances of The Prince and Life, Images and Reflections. Filming took place in 1979 at the Lorna Hodgkinson Sunshine Home in Gore Hill, Sydney.
The documentary was released in 1980 and was screened at the United Nations closing ceremony for the International Year of the Disabled in 1981. It received critical acclaim, with reviews highlighting its emotional depth and technical quality, particularly the cinematography by Dean Semler. The film also touches on sensitive topics, including the question of sexuality among the intellectually disabled, which led to significant consequences for some involved after its completion.
Why Watch
- •See Aldo Gennaro lead a unique theatre group.
- •Find out what happened after the film's release.
- •Meet the residents of the Lorna Hodgkinson Sunshine Home.
Did You Know
•The film was filmed in 1979 at the Lorna Hodgkinson Sunshine Home.
•Stepping Out was released in 1980 and ran for 48 minutes.
•It won the Best Documentary award at the 1981 Australian Film Institute Awards.
•The film was screened at the UN in 1981 for the International Year of the Disabled.
Perfect For
Theatre enthusiastsDocumentary loversAdvocates for disability rights