Reviewed by GREG KING Director: Aki Kaurismaki Stars: Sherwan Haji, Sakari Kuosmanen, Niroz Haji. The latest film from idiosyncratic Finnish auteur Aki Kaurismaki, The Other Side Of Hope was the opening night attraction at the 2017 Scandinavian Film Festival. This comedy is full of his usual droll humour and dead pan style and absurdist touches. Kaurismaki often pokes …
CONSTANCE ON THE EDGE – interview with Belinda Mason
by GREG KING Constance On The Edge is a documentary that follows refugee Constance Okot, and explores the impact that starting a new life in a strange country can have. Filmmaker Belinda Mason spent ten years following Constance and her experiences. This is a film that explores themes of courage, resilience, community and family. Constance On The Edge screens as part of the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival. …
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FREEDOM STORIES – interview with director Steve Thomas
by GREG KING Freedom Stories is a new documentary looking at the lives of a number of refugees who spent time in detention centres in remote locations, and who have built new lives in Australia. Melbourne, Geelong, Adelaide and Perth television audiences will have the opportunity to watch this important documentary on their local community free-to-air station in early December. Directed by Melbourne filmmaker …
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THE BAULKHAM HILLS AFRICAN LADIES TROUPE – interview with Ros Horin
by GREG KING The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe is a moving documentary following theatre director Ros Horin as she sets out to stage a theatre piece drawing upon the experiences of four refugees from war torn countries in Africa. As they relive their stories of rape and violence through the dynamics of the stage, they also find catharsis and empowerment. Horin spent several years on the project, and she …
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FREEDOM STORIES
Reviewed by GREG KING Documentary Director: Steve Thomas. Documentary filmmaker Steve Thomas has been interested in exploring the plight of refugees who have spent time in mandatory detention after arriving on Australia's shores by boat from war torn countries like Afghanistan or Iraq. His previous films include Hope, which followed Iraqi refugee Amal Basry, a survivor of the SIEV X disaster in which some 350 …
ONCE MY MOTHER
Reviewed by GREG KING Documentary Director: Sophia Turkiewicz. Sophia Turkiewicz is an Australian filmmaker (Silver City, and lots of television work, etc) who has long been conflicted over her feelings regarding her mother Helen. When she was only seven, Sophia's mother left her at a convent/orphanage in Adelaide for a couple of years. For a long time Sophia was confused by this decision by her mother, which …
