AROUND THE BLOCK (2013) - Lesbian Interest Movie

Dino and Kate

The Australian lesbian interest movie Around the Block (2013) (IMDb 5.9) features a lesbian storyline between Dino and Kate. The movie is set in Sydney and stars Christina Ricci as Dino, an American English teacher who goes to work in the underprivileged prodominantly aboriginal neighbourhood of Redfern. Dino immediately sets about engaging the kids by encouraging the class to perform Hamlet to the local community.

Dino: We do not choose to be born
but can we choose to be free?

By chance Dino meets an old friend who tells her that her ex-girfriend Kate (Andrea Demetriades) works near to the school and would like to see her. Dino begins to regularly drive past the deli where Kate works but can't quite bring herself to go in.

Dino is in a deadend relationship with Simon. She is unhappy with their normative lifestyle but hasn't been able to make the break. When the couple are out to lunch with Simon's boss she ends the relationship when Simon fails to stand up for her and allows racist comments to go by without challenge.

Still unable to muster the courage to talk to Kate, Dino goes to a gay bar. There she picks up Hannah (Ruby Rose) and has a one night stand with her. The love scene with Hannah while mostly kissing is well choreographed and occurs at around 56:45 in the movie.

Dino and Hannah Kiss 

The next day Dino goes to see Kate and invites her to the play. They talk for the first time in years. Dino tells Kate that she knows now that what they shared was real and that she still thinks about her a lot. Kate tells Dino that after five years she can't expect her to be ready to jump back into her arms.

Dino and Kate Talk About Reconciliation

Kate: Are you still making those crazy videos?
Dino: Kinda. I'm teaching drama at Redfern High
Dino: I think the students have taught me more than I've taught them
Dino: We have a performance tomorrow night. You should come
Kate: What are you doing?
Dino: What?
Dino: Simon and I broke up
Kate: What do you want me to do? Launch into your arms? What congratulate you?
Dino: I just want you to know that I never stopped thinking about you
Kate: Doesn't matter. It was such a long time ago
Kate: You don't seriously think ...
Kate: Ah Dino we can't go back
Dino: I don't know what I thought
Dino: I'm just sick of pretending to be something I'm not
Dino: What we had was real. I know that now.
Kate: What we had was five years ago.
Dino: Just tell me you don't feel it anymore and I'll walk away.
Kate: I chose to stop feeling it.

At the play Kate arrives late and sneaks in the back but not without Dino noticing her. The students receive a standing ovation for their performances especially Liam who plays Hamlet. Afterwards as people are milling around talking Kate and Dino lock eyes and smile at each other and we know that their love story is about to reignite.

Around the Block is a modern day To Sir With Love and is an engaging drama that competently highlights racial tensions and inequality in the Sydney suburb of Redfern. As a lesbian interest movie it falls a little short. The encounter between Hannah and Dino is almost superfluous to the story especially because the development of the relationship between Dino and Kate is a little too sparse.

The understated ending for Dino and Kate disappoints and would have been made more powerful with the addition of a kiss or even a conversation between Dino and Kate to cement their rekindled love. Overall though Around the Block is worth the watch and has enough happening for the main characters to hold most viewers interest. The aboriginal theme also helps to raise the status of the film Around the Block to one of social commentary.

Read more about Around the Block (2013) at IMDb

Christina Ricci as Dino

Andrea Demetriades as Kate

Ruby Rose as Hannah

Country of Origin: Australia

Genre: Drama

Language: English

Subtitles: English, Spanish and Portuguese

Runtime: 11.19 minute clip

Initial Release: 2014

Director: Sarah Spillane

Screenplay: Sarah Spillane


Other Links
Around the Block (2013) Film on Wikipedia
Other Lesbian Interest Movies