Waking up the Nation
Encyclopedia
Waking up the Nation: The Freedom Bus is an Australian documentary film shot in 2002 and internationally released in 2005, directed by Agostino Imondi http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2536898/?fr=c2M9MXxsbT01MDB8ZmI9dXx0dD0xfG14PTIwfGh0bWw9MXxjaD0xfGNvPTF8cG49MHxmdD0xfGt3PTF8cXM9YWdvc3Rpbm8gaW1vbmRpfHNpdGU9ZGZ8cT1hZ29zdGlubyBpbW9uZGl8bm09MQ__;fc=1;ft=20.
As the first civilians, they visited the detainees in some of the most remote parts of the country, like the detention centres in Port Hedland
, and Curtin
, and managed to expose some of the human rights violations committed against the asylum seekers in the camps.
during the months of January and February 2002.
A small funding for the film was provided by private donors.
An early 80-minutes version of this film, aimed at local political activist groups, was released in Australia in 2002. In 2005 the film was re-edited for international audiences, and had a limited theatrical and DVD release in 2006.
Segments of the film were also used for the BBC-documentary "Australia's Pacific Solution"
Additional footage from the documentary was also used by Amnesty International
as part of the Make Some Noise campaign.
Some of the film's footage was also heavely used by anti-racism advocacy groups in Australia for their campaigns.
Plot
The documentary tells the story of a group of Australian human rights activists, who travel on an old bus, the Freedom Bus, to visit asylum seekers imprisoned in immigration detention centres across the country, and to educate Australian communities on their 12,000-kilometres-journey.As the first civilians, they visited the detainees in some of the most remote parts of the country, like the detention centres in Port Hedland
Port Hedland, Western Australia
Port Hedland is the highest tonnage port in Australia and largest town in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with a population of approximately 14,000 ....
, and Curtin
RAAF Curtin
RAAF Base Curtin is a Royal Australian Air Force base located near the town of Derby on the north coast of Western Australia. As it is one of the RAAF's three 'bare bases' no Air Force units are currently based at Curtin and it is maintained by a small caretaker staff during peacetime...
, and managed to expose some of the human rights violations committed against the asylum seekers in the camps.
Production and Release
The film was shot Guerilla filmmaking styleGuerrilla filmmaking
Guerrilla filmmaking refers to a form of independent filmmaking characterized by low budgets, skeleton crews, and simple props using whatever is available...
during the months of January and February 2002.
A small funding for the film was provided by private donors.
An early 80-minutes version of this film, aimed at local political activist groups, was released in Australia in 2002. In 2005 the film was re-edited for international audiences, and had a limited theatrical and DVD release in 2006.
Segments of the film were also used for the BBC-documentary "Australia's Pacific Solution"
Additional footage from the documentary was also used by Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
as part of the Make Some Noise campaign.
Some of the film's footage was also heavely used by anti-racism advocacy groups in Australia for their campaigns.
Festivals
- Aljazeera International Documentary Film FestivalAljazeera International Documentary Film FestivalAljazeera International Documentary Film Festival is an international film festival showcasing documentaries and it is organized by Al Jazeera Network. Its director is Abbas Arnaout.- External links :* *...
l - Emirates Film CompetitionEmirates Film CompetitionThe Emirates Film Competition is an official UAE competition targeted to encourage local film making and film production, this competition includes all short-movie categories such as: narrative/fiction, docs and animation amongst others...
- Singapore International Film FestivalSingapore International Film FestivalThe Singapore International Film Festival was launched in 1987. The festival is an annual film event, held around April/May each year, and screens about 300 films from over 45 countries...