The Sapphires is a 2012 Australian musical drama film directed by Wayne Blair. The film is based on a true story of four indigenous women, commonly referred to as The Sapphires, who entertained American troops during the Vietnam War. The film stars Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, and Miranda Tapsell.
The story revolves around the four girls of Yorta Yorta heritage, Gail, Cynthia, Julie, and Kay, who are discovered by Dave, a talent scout. He recruits them to form a pop group to perform for soldiers during the Vietnam War. The girls have to face discrimination and cultural barriers as they travel to Vietnam to entertain American troops.
The group experiences several highs and lows throughout their journey in Vietnam. They encounter love, friendship, and war in the midst of performing for the American troops. They face cultural clashes with US soldiers and even have to deal with the war itself. However, their music and interaction with the soldiers transcend these barriers and bring moments of unity.
The Sapphires perform a wide range of popular Motown songs, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "What a Man." The film's score also includes original songs written by Australian artist Jessica Mauboy and Timomatic.
The Sapphires was released to critical acclaim and became a box office success in Australia and overseas. It won multiple awards, including Best Film at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards, and was also nominated for several other awards including Best Original Song at the Academy Awards. The film's success has been celebrated in Australia as a milestone for indigenous cinema.