Sofia is a spirited Australian girl of Greek heritage, who sees herself as a spy for the yayas (grandmothers). She’s determined to sabotage her brother Michaelis’s relationship with his non-Greek girlfriend before he leaves for Vietnam. Through mistranslation, mischief, and moments of reconciliation, Sofia’s story explores cultural identity, loyalty, and the emotional impact of conscription.

Watch Clip 1: Speaking the Language

Clip description: Sofia and her friend Mareka are watching Professor Julius Sumner Miller's television science show, Why is it so? Janice arrives and meets Sofia's mother and grandmother. She needs Sofia to translate the conversation and Sofia deliberately tells each party the wrong translation.

Sofia mischievously mistranslates between her grandmother and her brother’s girlfriend, Janice. This moment introduces themes of cultural pride, miscommunication, and emotional loyalty. Class discussion prompts:

• Why does Sofia mistranslate the conversation?
• What does this tell us about her feelings toward Janice?
• How does language shape power and belonging in families?

Students might create a “Translation Tangle” visual map showing how words, tone, and intention can be misunderstood across cultures.

Watch Clip 2: Conscription

Clip description: Michaelis tells Sofia why he is going to the Vietnam War even though he doesn't want to go. They discuss what it may be like, and his fears are evident.

This clip introduces the emotional weight of conscription and the tension between civic duty and personal safety. Students can:

• Write a journal entry from Sofia’s perspective: “Why I don’t want Michaelis to go”
• Investigate the 1960s conscription ballot and its impact on families
• Explore how war affects relationships and cultural expectations

Rewatch all three clips to identify moments of conflict, misunderstanding, and emotional growth. Use a Choices and Consequences chart to map Sofia’s actions and their ripple effects.
Students might:

• Compare Sofia’s loyalty to her family with her resistance to change
• Reflect on how cultural traditions and migration shape identity
• Sort ideas into themes such as Loyalty, Misunderstanding, and Reconciliation

Watch Clip 3: The Goodbye

Clip description:  The family gathers to say goodbye to Michaelis as he leaves for national training. It is a time of reconciliation for Sofia and Janice.

In this clip, Sofia and Janice reconcile, showing emotional growth and cultural acceptance.
Students can:

• Role-play a conversation between Sofia and Janice after the goodbye
• Interview a family member about a time they misunderstood someone and what helped repair the relationship
• Create a storyboard titled “What I Learned About Understanding”

Reflect on Sofia’s emotional journey and the cultural dynamics in her family. Invite students to connect these insights to their own experiences of misunderstanding, loyalty, and belonging. Prompts may include:

• Have I ever misjudged someone based on culture or language?
• What helps me feel understood in my family or community?
• How do stories help us repair relationships?

Students can create a Connection Map linking moments from the episode to their own stories of empathy and growth.

Apply learning by co-designing a class event that celebrates cultural understanding and respectful communication. Students might create a “Family Voices Charter” or host a storytelling circle that honours intergenerational wisdom and migration stories. Event ideas:

• Begin with an Acknowledgement of Country
• Share student projects through posters, journals, or digital stories
• Invite family and community members to speak about migration, language, and reconciliation

Episode Stills