Freedom Is Beautiful
Two remarkable Kurdish Iranian asylum seekers, both musicians and artists, long imprisoned on Manus Island, use their voices in the struggle against the Federal Government’s inhumane refugee policy.
Farhad Bandesh and Mostafa Azimitibar were finally freed from detention after being imprisoned for almost eight years under Australia’s brutal offshore processing regime. Each fled persecution in Iran, searching for safety, freedom and a brighter future, only to be treated callously by the Australia government. Forming a close friendship while detained, they used music and art as a form of peaceful resistance to promote humanity and tirelessly advocate on behalf of all those who remained held. Australian artist Angus McDonald’s passionate documentary, whilst not shying away from the brutality of their experience, embraces their extraordinary resilience and optimism. Special Guest
Angus McDonald
Director
Angus McDonald is an award-winning visual artist and documentary filmmaker. Since 1995 McDonald has staged more than 30 solo exhibitions across Australia and internationally. In 2019, he directed and produced his first film, a documentary short about refugees and asylum seekers held offshore by the Australian Federal Government in Papua New Guinea, titled Manus. In 2020, he was awarded the Archibald’s People’s Choice Award for his portrait of Kurdish-Iranian writer and former Manus Island detainee, Behrouz Boochani. Freedom Is Beautiful is McDonald’s first feature film.
Presented By
- Program Strand
- International Documentaries
- Year
- 2023
- Classification
- Unclassified 15+
- Country
- Australia
- Language
- In English and Kurdish with English subtitles
- Director
- Angus McDonald
- Producer
- Angus McDonald, Mélita Toscan Du Plantier
- Cinematographer
- Nolan Verheij
- Editor
- Nolan Verheij
- Premiere
- World Premiere
- Genre
- Documentary, Politics & Economics, Human Rights, Middle East, Australian Films
- Company Credits
- Production Company: Howling Eagle Productions
