.gif)
Azadi (film)
Encyclopedia
Azadi is a 2005 Australian short film, written and directed by award winning film-maker Anthony Maras
, and produced in association with the Australian Film Commission
, the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund and the South Australian Film Corporation
.
Azadi was one of the first serious dramas exploring the issue of mandatory detention of asylum seekers in Australia, was partially shot on location at Woomera and Baxter detention centres, and had many real-life refugees, detention centre guards and social workers involved in its making.
The film has earned numerous accolades on the international festival circuit and has screened on broadcast television, festivals and at human rights events the world over.
Some find it.
Others end up in Woomera – or one of the many formidable, desert bound detention centres hidden from view in remote corners of the Australian outback.
Azadi follows the plight of an Afghan schoolteacher and his asthmatic son, who escape their oppressive homeland only to encounter another kind of persecution upon arrival in Australia.
Anthony Maras
Anthony Theo Maras is an Australian film director, writer and producer born in Adelaide, South Australia.-Biography:Maras graduated from Flinders University in South Australia with a degree in Law and Legal Practice , before going on to study both film production and "Law and Society" at the...
, and produced in association with the Australian Film Commission
Australian Film Commission
The Australian Film Commission was an Australian government agency with a mandate to promote the creation and distribution of films in Australia as well as to preserve the country's film history. It also had a production arm responsible for production and commissioning of films for government...
, the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund and the South Australian Film Corporation
South Australian Film Corporation
South Australian Film Corporation is a South Australian Government statutory corporation established in 1972. Former State Premier Don Dunstan played an instrumental role in the foundation of the Corporation and its early film production activities....
.
Azadi was one of the first serious dramas exploring the issue of mandatory detention of asylum seekers in Australia, was partially shot on location at Woomera and Baxter detention centres, and had many real-life refugees, detention centre guards and social workers involved in its making.
The film has earned numerous accolades on the international festival circuit and has screened on broadcast television, festivals and at human rights events the world over.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Rodney Afif | Amir Afzali |
| Seleman Haider | Mansur Afzali |
| Stephen Sheehan | Immigration Officer |
| Sepideh Fallah | Amir's wife |
Synopsis
Every year, thousands of people set sail for Australian shores seeking asylum – seeking protection – seeking freedom.Some find it.
Others end up in Woomera – or one of the many formidable, desert bound detention centres hidden from view in remote corners of the Australian outback.
Azadi follows the plight of an Afghan schoolteacher and his asthmatic son, who escape their oppressive homeland only to encounter another kind of persecution upon arrival in Australia.
Production
- The riot scene at the film's climax was partially shot at notorious Easter protests at the Woomera and Baxter Detention centres. The protests turned into a mass-breakout and riot where over 70 detainees escaped after overpowering guards with metal poles from disassembled bunk beds.
- Seleman Haider was a real life refugee from Afghanistan who had only been in Australia 10 months when cast in a co-starring role as Mansur.
- The film has screened at more than 30 international festivals and has been used many times over by Australian politicians and community groups to raise awareness of the plight of refugees in Australia.
- The film features real life refugees, guards, social workers and interpreters in both key cast and extras positions.
Awards and nominations
- 2005 Australian Film Institute AwardsAustralian Film Institute AwardsThe Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award, known as the AACTA Award , is an accolade presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts . The awards recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry and television industry, including directors,...
: Best Short Fiction Film - Nomination
- 2006 South Australian Short Screen Awards: Best Drama
- 2006 South Australian Short Screen Awards: Best Direction
- 2006 Flickerfest International Short Film Festival: SBS Television Award
- 2006 St Kilda Film Festival: Judges Special Commendation
- 2006 WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival: Jury Prize - Platinum Remi Award
- 2005 Palm Springs International Festival of Short FilmsPalm Springs International Festival of Short FilmsThe Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films held annually in Palm Springs, California is the largest film festival for short films in the United States....
: Critics and Audience Choice commendation
- 2005 Austin Film FestivalAustin Film FestivalThe Austin Film Festival was started in 1994 in Austin, Texas and is claimed to be "the first organization of its kind to focus on the writer’s unique creative contribution to the film and television industries"...
: Best Short Film - Nomination
- 2005 Hamptons International Film FestivalHamptons International Film FestivalHamptons International Film Festival was founded to provide a forum for independent filmmakers from around the world to express their vision. The Festival is traditionally held for five days in mid-October in theatre venues from Montauk to Southampton and attracts roughly 15,000 visitors annually...
- Films of Conflict and Resolution Award - Nomination
- 2005 Sydney Film Festival - Dendy Awards: Best Short Fiction over 15 minutes - Dendy Awards - Nomination
- 2005 ATOM Awards: Best Short Film - Nomination
- 2006 South Australian Short Screen Awards: Best Cinematography
- 2006 Australian Cinematographers Society Awards: Golden Tripod
- 2007 Shorts Film Festival: Second Prize
Festival Selections
- AFI Awards 2005
- Hamptons International Film Festival
- Valladolid International Film Festival 2005
- Sydney Film Festival 2005
- São Paulo International Film Festival 2005
- Los Angeles International Short Film Festival 2005
- Interfilm Berlin – Int Short Film Festival 2005
- Flickerfest International Short Film Festival 2006
- St Kilda Film Festival 2006
- WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival 2006
- Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films 2005
- Austin Film Festival 2005
- Florida Film Festival 2006
- Sydney Film Festival 2005
- Rome Independent Film Festival 2006
- Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival 2005
- Foyle Film Festival 2005
- Athens International Film Festival (Greece) 2005
- Athens Int Film and Video Fest (USA) 2005
- Vermont International Film Festival 2005
- Bermuda International Film Festival 2005
- Drama International Film Festival (Greece) 2005
- Adelaide Film Festival 2005
- Tiburon International Film Festival 2005
- Human Rights Film Festival – New Zealand 2006
- Berkshire International Film Festival 2005
- Fitzroy Shorts Film Festival 2006
- Roma Cinemafest 2006
- Shorts Film Festival (Australia) 2006
- South Australian Short Screen Awards 2006
- ATOM Awards 2005
- ACS Awards 2005
- Darwin Film Festival 2006