This short film is beautiful in story and tone as we see stereotypes challenged. I was a part of the girl’s tag rugby team in high school. We only lasted a few weeks as they then decided to introduce a boys’ team, and of course that meant that the school focused on them rather than us. Rugby can be a dangerous sport, something that pushes you to be strong and scary, words not always associated with girls. Written and directed by Kate Graham, Scrum lets us see the worries and prejudices of older generations towards girls playing the sport and how things need to change.
Filmed with lots of steady shots, we establish the characters and situation that they’re in very quickly, allowing us to focus on their emotions and true mother-daughter feelings. We see into the head of the parent, wanting to make sure their child grows up in a safe and happy place without harm. We then see the opposite in the daughter, wanting to make her own path in life. There are arguments and hatred, but also a deep growing of connection as the pair begin to understand and appreciate each other’s differences.
As children, we fight to have our voices heard, and all we really want is the love and respect of the people who have been there for us. Parents have a big job in letting us spread our wings, even if we’re flying to somewhere they are frightened of or don’t know. Kelli Hollis and Emma Wrightson who star as mother and daughter are brilliant at capturing our hearts and helping us to see both sides of the story.
From muddy knees to clean kit, we need to be there for family, even when what they’re doing maybe doesn’t follow the stereotypes.