WWD ACMI

MWFF and VicScreen Presents

MWFF Opening Night - We Were Dangerous

Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu | New Zealand | 2024 | M
Film

This event has ended and tickets are no longer available.

Tickets

Full

$35

Concession

$30

Member

$28

When

Thu 20 Mar 2025

See below for additional related events

Join the Melbourne Women in Film Festival's opening night gala and special event screening of We Were Dangerous - a powerful story of hope, girlhood and the celebration of female friendships.

In 1954 New Zealand, rebellious teens Nellie (Erana James) and Daisy (Manaia Hall) are sent to a remote island reform school after an unsuccessful escape attempt from the Te Motu School for Incorrigible and Delinquent Girls. On the island, they cross paths with the well-to-do and cautious Lou (Nathalie Morris). Under the iron rule of the devout and authoritarian Matron (Rima Te Wiata), the trio forms an unlikely alliance, finding strength in their blossoming friendship as they push back against the oppressive system that aims to reprogram them into subservient housewives and mothers. But when sinister, experimental punishments begin under the cover of darkness, tensions escalate and a new plan is hatched. As the girls navigate trust, courage, and survival, they must confront how far they’re willing to go to reclaim their freedom—and whether their bond can withstand the dangers that lie ahead.

This screening includes a special introduction from the film's lead actresses, Erana James and Nathalie Morris. Ticket prices include access to the party after the screening.

We Were Dangerous is a film for anyone who has ever felt marginalised, when they know in their heart there has never been anything wrong with them.

Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu, Director.

Format: DCP
Language: English
Source: Madman Entertainment
Courtesy: Madman Entertainment
Runtime: 83 mins

Event duration

300 mins

Rating

M

Although delicately approached, the film contains reference to institutional abuse and female sterilisation.

Where

Cinema 1 (Level 2) & Cameo (for Afterparty)
ACMI, Fed Square

Plan your visit

Multipasses – see more films in this program for less

Full Festival Pass $120–170
(any ticketed event excluding The Lifecycle of Film Workshop and Schools & Youth programs)

Explore more events in the Melbourne Women in Film Festival (MWFF) 2025 program

There are no upcoming related events at this time.

Program Passes

See more films in this program for less

Melbourne Women in Film Festival 2025: Full Festival Pass

Full: $170, Concession: $140, ACMI Member: $120

(Any ticketed event excluding The Lifecycle of Film & Schools program)

ACMI – the home of festivals

Meet the festivals and film clubs on Melbourne’s cultural calendar that call ACMI home.

Find out more
Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF) - BPM still
A couple checks out consumes from The Last Emperor in The Story of the Moving Image (image credit: Phoebe Powell)

Not an ACMI Member yet?

Experience ACMI in the very best way. Get a range of discounts and invitations to exclusive previews.

See membership options
Film books in the ACMI Shop - Photo by Phoebe Powell

ACMI Shop

Melbourne's favourite shop dedicated to all things moving image. Every purchase supports your museum of screen culture.

Shop online

Join our newsletter

Get updates on the latest news, exhibitions, programs, special offers and more.