NBA superstar Ben Simmons shows his support for Adam Goodes at doco premiere

NBA superstar Ben Simmons showed his support at the world premiere of the Adam Goodes documentary, The Australian Dream, at the Melbourne International Film Festival last night

NBA superstar Ben Simmons headlined a parade sports and entertainment celebrities at the world premiere of the Adam Goodes documentary, The Australian Dream, in Melbourne tonight.

Simmons, who recently signed a $240 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, is an executive producer for the film, and plans to take it to the world.

Broadcaster and journalist Stan Grant, who wrote the film, applauded Simmons’ involvement.

“Ben is committed to this,” Grant said.

“It’s fantastic exposure for the film. And fantastic that someone like Ben believes in this, and wants American audiences to see it. It’s his country, and this is a deeply Australian story.”

Simmons happily posed for pictures on the red carpet at the Plenary Theatre, but was soon ushered away by a publicist without taking questions. Goodes also declined to do interviews.

Michael O’Loughlin, Stan Grant, Adam Goodes and Ben Simmons arrive at the premiere. Picture: Mark Stewart

The film covers Goodes’s upbringing, rise to AFL stardom, a reconnection to his indigenous heritage, then a backlash after he called out a young fan for calling him an “ape.”

Goodes’s forthright views on indigenous rights while he was Australian of the Year in 2012, and reaction to his “war cry” performed during a game, saw him loudly booed at games until he retired in 2015.

Football identities including Nathan Buckley, Eddie McGuire, Gilbert McAdam, Michael O’Loughlin, Paul Roos, John Longmire, Herald Sun commentator Andrew Bolt, and broadcaster and journalist Stan Grant are interviewed in the film.

Adam Goodes and wife Natalie Crocker arrive at the Melbourne Entertainment and Convention Centre for the world premiere of the highly-anticipated Adam Goodes documentary, The Australian Dream. Picture: Mark Stewart

Grant said the booing that forced Goodes out of the game was the “echo of history.”

In the film, Grant says: “I can’t speak for what lay in the hearts of people who booed Adam goes. But I can tell you what we heard. We heard the howl of the Australian dream and it said to us again, ‘you’re not welcome.’”

Bolt said the booing was “the voice of people who are normally powerless,” and explained in the film: “It’s their contribution to the debate. It’s their voice. It’s not nice, but it’s humanity. Sometimes, it’s not nice.”

Anthony LaPaglia and Alexandra Henkel arrive at the Melbourne Entertainment and Convention Centre for the world premiere of the highly-anticipated Adam Goodes documentary, The Australian Dream. Picture: Mark Stewart

Hugo Weaving arrives at the Melbourne Entertainment and Convention Centre for the world premiere of the highly-anticipated Adam Goodes documentary, The Australian Dream. Picture: Mark Stewart

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Grant said Goodes’s “great sin” was being “the black man who complains,” adding: “People don’t like the angry Aborigine.”

Grant also said the film, and its messages, position Goodes for the next chapter in his life.

“Adam doesn’t need to say or do anything more,” Grant said.

“Adam’s voice is heard in this film. Adam doesn’t have to answer back, or justify himself, or explain himself to anyone. Adam is making choices for Adam Goodes.”

Invited guests at the screening included former Sydney Swan Michael O’Loughlin, actors Hugo Weaving and Anthony LaPaglia, Joel Jackson, and musician Adam Briggs.