Life Could Be a Dream: Why Referron Is Proud to Support This Australian Film
We usually write about referrals, networking and the relationships that help businesses grow. Today, we’re sharing something different: why Referron was proud to sponsor the making of Life Could Be a Dream, an Australian feature film about a woman and her son finding a way towards a future shaped by choice, not fear.
A story about Sarah and Otis
Set in the brightness of an Australian summer, Life Could Be a Dream follows 40-year-old Sarah as she faces the truth that she is trapped in an abusive marriage. The romantic illusions that have sustained her begin to fall away, and she recognises the danger of staying, both for herself and for her 13-year-old son, Otis.
As Sarah and Otis each move into a new stage of life, mother and son begin parallel journeys of self-discovery. At the heart of the film is their bond: loving and complicated, and changing as they learn what freedom might mean for each of them.
The film looks at coercive control, the idea that someone else will come along and save us, and the hard, gradual work of imagining a different future. It is also about breaking multigenerational cycles and modelling strength for the next generation, even when you are still working out what strength looks like for yourself.
Why we backed this film
At Referron, we believe trusted relationships matter. In business, a genuine introduction can open a door that a cold call cannot. Showing up, listening and giving support before you expect anything back can help people build lasting connections.
That belief is one reason we felt a connection to this film. Sarah’s story is not a story about a simple rescue. It is about seeing what is possible, finding the courage to choose a different path, and the people and relationships that can help make that path feel reachable.
We don’t want to force a comparison between a business referral and the serious experiences the film explores. They are not the same. But we do recognise a shared truth: connection matters. Community matters. People should not have to face difficult moments alone.
We’re proud that Referron is listed among the film’s supporters, and proud to have sponsored its making. Supporting Life Could Be a Dream felt like a meaningful way to stand behind a story that asks us to look honestly at relationships, and to imagine how things could be different.
Beyond the screen: making room for conversation
The film’s impact campaign aims to reimagine the stories we tell about love, celebrate relationships built on mutual respect and equality, and help people recognise patterns that constrain them, as well as paths towards freedom. It also connects audiences with information and community support.
Partnerships with Commonwealth Bank, Minderoo Pictures, Snow Foundation, Good Shepherd and Man Cave help take those conversations beyond the cinema. The campaign is also supported by Minderoo Foundation, Snow Foundation, Weir Anderson and CBA Next Chapter.
There are ways to bring the story into community and learning settings, too. Organisations can find out about hosting a screening, creating space for a conversation about healthy relationships. Schools can explore the film’s ATOM study guide resources.
A few words from audiences and critics
The film has been recognised on the festival circuit, including awards for Best Female Director and Best Cinematography at a Montreal festival. Its reception has also included these responses:
- The Guardian: “A powerful, memorable film.”
- The Australian: “A visually stunning tone poem. Haunting, and poetic.”
- What's On Sydney: “Flawless authenticity.”
- The Phrasemaker: “A powerful story of resilience and strength.”
- Myf Warhurst: “Beautiful and deeply necessary.”
Director and producer Jasmin Tarasin has described her hope that the film might serve “as a beacon showing that liberation is within reach”: one woman and her son finding their way towards a future defined by choice rather than fear. She has also called it “the messy work of discovering what is possible for ourselves and those we love.”
Meet the people who brought it to life
Life Could Be a Dream was directed and produced by Jasmin Tarasin, and written by Courtney Collins, author of The Burial. Clare Lewis and Catherine Church of GoodChat co-produced the film. GoodChat is a film production B Corp making high-impact films for social change.
We want to acknowledge Jasmin, Courtney, Clare, Catherine and the whole team for making a film that invites reflection without offering easy answers. We’re also grateful to stand alongside the other supporters who helped bring the film to audiences, including Minderoo Foundation, Snow Foundation and CBA Next Chapter.
Watch, share or host a screening
Life Could Be a Dream is now available on Apple TV. You can also watch the trailer, visit the official film website for film updates and mailing-list information, or learn how your organisation can host a screening.
The film deals with family violence and coercive control. Its Apple TV listing notes mature themes, family violence and coarse language, so please consider that when deciding when and with whom to watch.
Stories like this matter because they can help us recognise what is happening around us, see that change is possible, and start conversations that might otherwise be left unspoken. We’re proud Referron could play a small part in bringing this one to the screen.
And if you believe, like we do, that trusted relationships can change what’s possible, create your free Referron card, or download Referron for iPhone or Android.
