‘Boss Cat’: Director Genevieve Clay-Smith On Her Powerful Dramady Showing At SFF

There are several Australian movies screening at the Sydney Film Festival (SFF) this year, but the anticipated crowd-pleaser promises to be the dramedy Boss Cat.

Written and directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith, this film surrounds Sonja (Olivia Hardgroder), a 23-year-old with Down Syndrome, who’s trying to hold onto her family home after her mother dies. Her estranged grandmother wants to sell the house and place her into care – but Sonja decides to fight back, channelling her energy into learning Krump dancing and she starts rallying people on her side.

“Audiences are invited to laugh and shed a tear. Ultimately Boss Cat is a story about grief, loneliness, resilience, faith, connection, and how even amid hard times, there’s always hope,” enthused Clay-Smith.

She said this film was a labour of love, and 13 years in the making. The idea for the story transpired while she was working on her masters film, I Am Emmanuel which was about a South Sudanese refugee who found an outlet for PTSD through Krump dancing.

“I imagined a woman with Down syndrome learning Krump dance from the character in I Am Emmanuel and the idea just kept growing until I had to start putting the story down!”

Clay-Smith explained that Krump is a powerful style of street dance that originated in Los Angeles in the early 2000’s. It was created by young people seeking an outlet for emotion, pain, and spiritual expression.

“Deeply raw and expressive, it allows dancers to channel grief, anger, and resilience in a way that can be profoundly cathartic. Krump is a culture and a vital form of connection and identity for the people who embrace it. There are Krump communities all over the world, including Australia.”

Boss Cat explores several relatable themes, notably the courage and vulnerability it takes to ask for help.

“Sonja’s journey is one of learning to open herself up to others and accept support during difficult times. Disability or not, everyone needs help at some point in their lives, and asking for it can often feel confronting, humbling or even uncomfortable for many of us.”

Clay-Smith stressed that authentic casting has always been central to her approach as a filmmaker, especially when telling stories about disability.

“From the outset, I wrote the role of Sonja with the intention that the actor portraying her would share the character’s lived experience. Olivia Hardgroder, who has Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), was cast following an extensive audition process. She brought a remarkable vulnerability, warmth, humour, and sass to the role; all the qualities that make Sonja such a compelling and deeply human character.”

Clay-Smith is overjoyed that her film will be screening at the SFF. She reminisced that 20 years ago while attending the SFF at the State Theatre, she pondered whether any of her films would ever be screened at this festival.

“Needless to say, the young woman sitting in that audience back then would be absolutely beside herself knowing that, all these years later, a film she wrote and directed will premiere at the Sydney Film Festival in the State Theatre. It’s an enormous honour and truly one of those surreal, ‘pinch myself’ moments.”

When asked whether this film should shift perspectives on disability, Clay-Smith was  quick to respond.

“What I hope the film ultimately does is broaden perceptions of disability by presenting characters with complexity, agency, humour, and emotional depth. Too often, people with disability are either underrepresented on screen or confined to limiting stereotypes. I was incredibly intentional in crafting a story where disability is part of the characters’ lives, but not the sole definition of who they are,”.

And how does she hope audiences will be impacted by Boss Cat?

“My hope is that audiences leave the cinema emotionally moved, energised, and reminded of the inherent value and humanity in all of us. So, if you’re looking for a film that offers hope, joy, laughter, and catharsis, I’d absolutely encourage people to come and experience it.”

Boss Cat is screening June 7 & 8 at the Sydney Film Festival, with a limited release later in the year.