Timothy Conigrave’s Holding the Man, an intimate account of his 15-year relationship with partner John Caleo, has already been a best-selling memoir and an award-winning play.

Now Conigrave's life comes to the big screen as a feature film directed by Neil Armfield.

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In the film, love blossoms between aspiring actor Conigrave (Ryan Corr) and star athlete John Caleo (Craig Stott) at a prestigious Catholic school in early 1970s Melbourne.

Their love endures rejection by family and the Church, only to be threatened by the specter of AIDS in the 1990s. ("Holding the man” is a tern from Australian rules football referring to tackling an opponent who isn’t carrying the ball.)

Holding the Man will be released in Australia on August 27, with a cast that also includes Kerry Fox, Sarah Snook and veteran actors Anthony LaPaglia (as John's dad) and Guy Pearce (as Tim’s father).

Watch the trailer below.