Freedom Stories is a collaborative documentary project from Flying Carpet Films. It explores the achievements and stories of former ‘boat people’ who arrived in Australian waters seeking asylum from the Middle East around 2001, a defining year in Australian politics. Locked in remote detention centres and then placed on temporary protection visas, their limbo lasted for years. Now Australian citizens, they are finally building secure lives and contributing to their new country.
The Satellite Rotary Club of Mooroopna Kialla presents the documentary film – ‘Freedom Stories’ on Wednesday March 21st 6.30pm at Harder Auditorium (GoTafe). You are invited to stay for a Q&A session with the director Steve Thomas and a light supper after the film.
Freedom Stories is a documentary based project that brings together a collection of personal stories from former asylum seekers who sought asylum in Australia at a time of great political turmoil circa 2001, but who have long since dropped out of the media spotlight. The people who have participated in our project are all now Australian citizens. Given the ongoing controversies over ‘boat people’ it is timely that their stories be heard.
It is 22 years since the introduction by Australia of mandatory detention for asylum seekers arriving by boat and this country remains the only United Nations Refugee Convention signatory with a policy of indefinite mandatory detention. Freedom Stories explores what is was like for people to experience mandatory detention and the uncertainty of temporary protection visas. How have they coped and what have they managed to achieve since?
“Not only timely in its depiction of how a previous generation of refugees have productively fitted into Australia society, but also fascinating for how it draws out – or even inspires – undercurrents of unease, this deceptively complex documentary by Steve Thomas deliberately sets out to introduce people previously dehumanized by both rhetoric and forced detention.” – Craig Mathieson, SUNDAY AGE (reviewing the Freedom Stories feature).
The Satellite Rotary Club of Mooroopna Kialla presents the documentary film – ‘Freedom Stories’ on Wednesday March 21st 6.30pm at Harder Auditorium (GoTafe). Please feel welcome to stay for a Q&A session with the director Steve Thomas and a light supper after the film.
Event Details
Program: Screening of Freedom Stories with Q&A
Date: Wednesday March 21st
Time: 6.30pm
Location: Harder Auditorium at GOTAFE (Goulburn Ovens TAFE), Fryers Street, Shepparton, Vic. Book tickets
Entry: $10 Adults, $5 children/students.
Tickets at Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/353355
Enquiries: Kathryn.Sims@vla.vic.gov.au
Host: Satellite Rotary Club of Mooroopna Kialla
Study Guide
The FREE study guide provides a framework for positive discussion about the individual experiences of people who have sought asylum in Australia and the issues raised by their stories. The activities challenge students to think about asylum seekers and refugees in a compassionate way and allow students to engage in important conversations about Australia’s response to these people.
The guide has been written for secondary students at all year levels.
Freedom Stories provides opportunities for students to consider:
- the key concepts and facts about refugees and asylum seekers;
- the human rights issues faced by asylum seekers and refugees;
- the extraordinary courage, hope, dignity and resilience of asylum seekers and refugees in the face of profound hardships;
- the value of the contributions of refugees to Australian society.
Years 7 – 10, the study guide provides information and suggestions for learning activities in: Civics and Citizenship, English, Geography, History, Media Arts
Freedom Stories can also be used as a resource to address the Australian Curriculum general capabilities Ethical Understanding and Intercultural Understanding and the cross curriculum priority Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia. This documentary project is a suitable focus for cross curriculum projects about asylum seekers and refugees.
Years 11 – 12, the study guide provides suggestions for learning activities in: English, Global Politics, Legal Studies, Modern History, Religion
Click Here to Download the FREEDOM STORIES Study Guide
