This is Not a Lie

In 1984, St Kilda is the vibrant heart of Melbourne’s thriving music scene. Joel Reed, a brilliant young guitarist and songwriter, follows his sister Karen to the bohemian beachside suburb, chasing his dream of becoming a rock star. On the surface, Joel seems to have it all: he's in an up-and-coming rock ‘n’ roll band and is surrounded by people who want to see him succeed. However, beneath this façade lies a high-functioning heroin addict and a man grappling with his hidden sexuality. Desperately lonely and dangerously self-destructive, Joel conceals his true self, living a carefully constructed lie to avoid being discovered, outed, and shunned by the city's legion of hard rock fans.

The delicate balance of Joel’s world is shattered when the band is forced to audition for a new frontman. Harry Engel, offbeat, charming, and disarmingly charismatic, walks into the rehearsal room and upends Joel’s meticulously constructed life. Joel has never encountered anyone like Harry before, and it’s not long before he finds himself falling deeply in love. Yet, Joel is trapped in a tormenting dilemma: he cannot confess his feelings, not to Harry, not to anyone, without risking the band's success and his own precarious place in the world.

As Joel continues to live his lie, the pressure mounts, and his inner turmoil grows. This fragile equilibrium is tragically disrupted by an unexpected calamity, threatening to destroy Joel entirely. In this poignant tale of love and loss, Joel's struggle between his dreams, his desires, and the harsh realities of his life culminates in a heart-wrenching narrative that truly epitomises a tragic romance.

Six Strings, Two Men, One Shot