My Place - Series 1
My Place is a rich source of entertainment and education. It is one of the ultimate pieces of episodic literature and now it is on television, involving more than a century of time, lots of kids, and a tree to provide continuity.
My Place - Series 1 adapts the book, written by Nadia Wheatley and Donna Rawlins, into 13 episodes about 13 children who live in the same house over 130 years (2008-1888). Their special place is the fig tree that represents a place of belonging.
In episode 1 (2008), we meet Laura, an Indigenous girl, who through inadvertent misadventure needs to apologise to Michaelis, the landlord. Her reluctance to make this apology is paralleled by the Apology made by Kevin Rudd to the Indigenous people of Australia. The series mirrors the stories of the book but also introduces two new characters; 1988 - Lily, a Vietnamese girl whose parents were boat people and 1998 - Mohammed, an Islamic boy who is celebrating Ramadan while trying out for the local cricket team.
My Place features an extensive cast of acclaimed Australian actors, including Susie Porter, Dan Wiley and Australian screen legend Chris Haywood. The series also features 13 lead roles, and numerous supporting roles, by some of Australia’s best young talent.
The television series My Place is produced by Penny Chapman of NSW based Chapman Pictures, with the support of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), New South Wales Film and Television Office (NSW FTO) and Screen Australia.
See Also
My Place - Series 2 (2011)
Continuing on from where My Place - Series 1 left off, My Place - Series 2 takes us on a journey even further back in time.
Episodes
Episode 1 2008: Laura
Laura borrows a tinnie to muck about in the canal. It sinks, taking with it the ashes of its owner's beloved dog. She can't find a way to own up. It's 2008 and the Prime Minister is trying to do the same thing with her mob.
Episode 2 1998: Mohammed
Mohammed is a mad keen bowler, and is desperate to join the cricket team at his new school. But there are no places and so he ends up playing with the girls - who prove to be the better side.
Episode 3 1988: Lily
Lily's cousin, Phoung, arrives with her parents from Vietnam. But the trophy cousin turns out to be a real threat to Lily's status, at home and at school.
Episode 4 1978: Mike
Mike knows a lot about Australian muscle cars from 1968 to 1978, but the other kids think he's odd and he thinks he's only got one friend, Ben. But is Ben a real friend?
Episode 5 1968: Sofia
Sofia is a spy for the yayas, and she's determined to get rid of her brother's (Michaelis) girlfriend, before Michaelis leaves for Vietnam.
Episode 6 1958: Michaelis
Michaelis' family is from Kalymnos. He wants to be Australian, not Greek, but even more he wants a television - so he can watch Zorro.
Episode 7 1948: Jen
Jen's dad died in the war. Now, her mum is planning to marry Wal, who (even though he has a car), definitely doesn't match up in Jen's eyes to her war hero - her real dad.
Episode 8 1938: Colum
Colum has two big ambitions; to stop his best mate Thommo's family from being kicked out of their house next door to his, and to get up the nerve to ride his billy cart down Brickpits Hill.
Episode 9 1928: Bridie
Bridie and Lorna are the best of friends. Wheeling their baby brothers in their prams and with Bridie's annoying younger sister, Kath, in tow, they set off on a day of harmless relaxation.
Episode 10 1918: Bertie
Bertie is doing all that he can, including putting on a magic show, to save the money to buy a special gift to welcome his brother, Eddie, home from the war. It's a pair of brown brogue shoes.
Episode 11 1908: Evelyn
Evelyn can't wait for cracker night. This year, for the first time, her father has been able to afford to buy the family their own box of fireworks. Unfortunately, Evelyn shows the box to her disbelieving neighbour, Freddie.
Episode 12 1898: Rowley
Rowley longs for his father to come home. Convinced that good deeds will be rewarded, he'll do anything to help his mother and the other residents in the boarding house they live in. But then he discovers that his father may never come home at all.
Episode 13 1888: Victoria
Victoria and her family have just moved into the terrace house that her father has built. She'll do anything to ensure that they stay there forever, including witchcraft.
Awards
KidScreen Awards – Feb 2011
Winner - Best Non-Animated or Mixed Series
TV Week Logie Awards 2010
Winner of Most Outstanding Children’s Program
Banff World Television Awards 2010
Nominated for (Rockie) Award in the Children Family and Youth Category - (Ep 11) - Finalist.
ATOM Awards October 2010
Winner – Best Children’s Television Production
AFI Awards December 2010
Winner – Best Children’s Television Drama Series.
Sales and Distribution
Running Time
13 x 24 mins
Production Company
Chapman Pictures Pty Ltd
Language
English