It's South Africa 1990. Two major events are about to happen: The release of Nelson Mandela and, more importantly, it's Spud Milton's first year at an elite boys-only private boarding school.

Spud is a 2009 South African film directed by Donovan Marsh, based on the novel of the same name by John van de Ruit. The film stars Troye Sivan as John "Spud" Milton, the title character. It was released in South Africa on 3rd December 2010.

During the film, there is a mass caning. Spud has to wait in a queue while many other boys are beaten before him, then tries to overcome the pain by imagining a very pretty mermaid played by Genna Blair.