Sapphires Quotes/Scenes

“Show’s over girls. Pack your swags and get back to the humpy” [Scene: The Tiki Tavern talent quest]

Racism and Prejudice — Said by Merle

“Get that black dog away from me” [Scene: The chaotic US medical evacuation base]

Racism and Prejudice — Said by Injured Soldier

“Get your hands off me!” [Scene: Gail confronting the aggressive military police]

Racism and Prejudice — Said by Gail

“Oh this poor little mission ‘gin making the coconut shame aye?” [Scene: Packing up to leave the mission]

Racism and Prejudice — Said by Cynthia

“Being treated like dogs by the gubs in town every single day…” [Scene: The girls arguing in the Melbourne apartment]

Racism and Prejudice — Said by Gail

“But trust me girls, singing in Vietnam is not for you” [Scene: Dave judging the girls' initial audition in the garage]

Brutality of War — Said by Dave

“Don’t you fellas ever read newspapers? Vietnam? There’s a war in Vietnam!” [Scene: Robby interviewing the girls in Melbourne]

Brutality of War — Said by Robby

“Anyone could lob a hand grenade and start shooting us” [Scene: Kay reacting to the physical dangers of the war zone]

Brutality of War — Said by Kay

“They don’t care what colour you are when you sing like that” [Scene: Dave coaching the girls on the power of Soul music]

Music as a Unifying Force — Said by Dave

“Give me some of that sweet soul music” [Scene: Dave pushing the girls to drop country music]

Music as a Unifying Force — Said by Dave

“Every note that passes through your lips should have the tone of a woman who’s grasping…” [Scene: Rehearsal sequence instructing Gail]

Music as a Unifying Force — Said by Dave

“Welcome home my daughter” [Scene: Kay returning to the Cummeragunja Mission after years away]

Identity and Belonging / Importance of Family — Said by Grandmother

“I don’t see how you’re going to win any contest without me” [Scene: Julie sneaking into the car to join her sisters]

Identity and Belonging — Said by Julie

“I didn’t get a say in how things worked out for me” [Scene: Kay explaining her past and being taken by the government]

Identity and Belonging — Said by Kay

“I’m black, I’m just pale black” [Scene: Kay confronting her identity during an argument with Gail]

Identity and Belonging — Said by Kay

“It’s my responsibility, Dave, to look after the little ones because I’m the oldest” [Scene: Gail explaining her defensive protective instincts]

Identity and Belonging — Said by Gail

“I was never good enough… in music and certainly not at life” [Scene: Dave opening up about his failed past to Gail]

Identity and Belonging — Said by Dave

“But sort it out, whatever it is” [Scene: Gail confronting Kay about her emotional distance]

Forgiveness — Said by Gail

“I came here to apologise for giving you a hard time. But now I’m not going to bother” [Scene: Gail attempting to reconcile with Kay early on]

Forgiveness — Said by Gail

“And I’ve never been able to forgive her” [Scene: Gail revealing her deep-seated pain over Kay leaving]

Forgiveness — Said by Gail

“I know I’ve got a child. That’s why I want to make something for myself” [Scene: Julie arguing for her independence and ambition]

Gender and Sexuality — Said by Julie

“Cos this is my big break” [Scene: Cynthia focusing on her dreams of stardom and escaping the mission]

Gender and Sexuality — Said by Cynthia

“Very sexy” [Scene: Dave complimenting the girls' new performance outfits and style]

Gender and Sexuality — Said by Dave

“You’re a strong woman, and I admire that”