Opal Dream (2006)
A tender Australian family drama about the power of childhood belief, set against the rugged landscape of an outback opal mining town.
Opal Dream - Movie Information
- Original Title: Opal Dream
- Release Year: 2006
- Directed by: Peter Cattaneo
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Family
- Runtime: 1h 26m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 12, 2006 (France), November 22, 2006 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: Pobby and Dingan (US)
- Production Companies: Renaissance Films
- Production Countries: Australia
Opal Dream - Plot
Pobby & Dingan are invisible. They live in an opal town in Australia and are friends with Kellyanne, the 9 year-old daughter of an opal miner. The film tells the story of the bizarre and inexplicable disappearance of Pobby & Dingan, Kellyanne's imaginary friends, and the impact this has on her family and the whole town. The story is told through the eyes of Kellyanne's 11 years old brother Ashmol.
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Opal Dream - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Peter Cattaneo
Main Cast
- Sapphire Blossom
- Christian Byers
- Vince Colosimo
- Jacqueline McKenzie
- Robert Morgan
- Anna Linarello
- Denise Roberts
- Peter Callan
Writers
- Peter Cattaneo
- Ben Rice
- Phil Traill
Producers
- Lizie Gower
- Nick Morris
- Emile Sherman
- Karen Sproul
Opal Dream - FAQs
What is Opal Dream about?
Opal Dream follows Kellyanne, a nine-year-old girl living in an Australian opal mining town, whose imaginary friends Pobby and Dingan mysteriously disappear. Told through her older brother Ashmol's eyes, the film explores how their vanishing shakes the entire family and community, weaving themes of belief, childhood innocence, and the power of imagination.
Is Opal Dream based on a book?
Yes! Opal Dream is adapted from Ben Rice's acclaimed novella Pobby and Dingan, published in 2000. The book was a surprise international hit, praised for its tender portrayal of childhood imagination and grief. Rice co-wrote the screenplay alongside director Peter Cattaneo and Phil Traill.
Where can you stream or watch Opal Dream?
You can rent or buy Opal Dream on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It's also available to watch with ads on The Roku Channel, making it easy to find across a range of platforms.
What does the title Opal Dream really mean?
The title captures two layers of the story: the literal world of opal mining in outback Australia, where fortunes are chased underground, and the dreamlike quality of childhood belief. Pobby and Dingan exist only in Kellyanne's imagination, yet their presence — and absence — feel as real and precious as any gem.
Who are the main actors in Opal Dream?
The cast is led by Sapphire Blossom as young Kellyanne and Christian Byers as her brother Ashmol. Vince Colosimo and Jacqueline McKenzie play their parents, Rex and Annie Williamson. The ensemble also includes Robert Morgan, Anna Linarello, Denise Roberts, and Peter Callan.
Is Opal Dream suitable for children?
Opal Dream is a family drama, but it deals with some emotionally heavy themes — including a child's serious illness and grief — so it's best suited for older children and families who enjoy thoughtful, heartfelt storytelling. It's a gentle film, but one that may prompt meaningful conversations.
Where was Opal Dream filmed?
The film was shot on location in Australia, capturing the stark, sun-baked landscape of the country's opal mining regions. The setting is central to the story's atmosphere, with the dusty outback terrain reinforcing the sense of isolation and the community's dependence on the earth beneath their feet.
Who composed the music for Opal Dream?
The score was composed by Dario Marianelli, the acclaimed Italian composer who would go on to win an Academy Award for Atonement (2007). His music for Opal Dream brings a delicate, wistful quality that perfectly complements the film's tender exploration of childhood imagination and loss.
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