- Azadi (film)
Infobox Film
name = Azadi
caption = Promotional poster for "Azadi".
director =Anthony Maras
producer =Scott McDonald Anthony Maras Farhad Noori
writer =Anthony Maras
starring =Rodney Afif Seleman Haider
music =Josh Bennett
cinematography =Nick Matthews
editing =Denise Haratzis Anthony Maras
country = Australia
runtime = 29 minutes
language = English
imdb_id = 0810022|"Azadi" is a 2005 Australian short film, written and directed by award winning film-maker
Anthony Maras , and produced in association with theAustralian Film Commission , the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund and theSouth 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 [http://www.abc.net.au/tv/shortandcurly/txt/s1852516.htm "ABC Short and Curly"] ] , festivals and at human rights events [http://2006.humanrightsfilmfest.net.nz/films.asp "Human Rights Film Festival"] ] [http://www.hamptonsfilmfest.org/2005/FConflict.asp "Films of Conflict and Resolution - Hamptons Film Festival"] ] the world over. [http://www.safilm.com.au/showcase_detail.aspx?p=23&id=188 "SAFC website - Azadi Showcase"] ] [http://www.shortfilmcentral.com/film/305/screenings/ "Short Film Central - Azadi Profile"] ]
Taglines:
* OppressionDetentionAsylumHopeFaithFreedom
Cast
ynopsis
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 Afghani schoolteacher and his asthmatic son, who escape their oppressive homeland only to encounter another kind of persecution upon arrival in Australia.
Making Of
* 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 Awards : Best Short Fiction Film - Nomination [http://www.if.com.au/press/2005/08/26.html "Inside Film - 26 August 2006"] ]*2006
South Australian Short Screen Awards : Best Drama [http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/384/puffio.shtml "DB Magazine - 26 April 2006"] ]*2006
South Australian Short Screen Awards : Best Direction [http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/384/puffio.shtml "DB Magazine - 26 April 2006"] ]*2006
Flickerfest International Short Film Festival : SBS Television Award [http://www.flickerfest.com.au/2006/winners.asp "Flickerfest 2006 Winners"] ]*2006
St Kilda Film Festival : Judges Special Commendation [http://2006.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/homepage "St Kilda 2006 Winners"] ]*2006
WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival : Jury Prize - Platinum Remi Award [http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:Z61-JlfDieQJ:www.worldfest.org/downloads/winnerslist2006.xls+39th+WorldFest+Houston+Azadi&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2 "39th Worldfest Houston - Winners List"] ]*2005
Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films : Critics and Audience Choice commendation [http://www.safilm.com.au/showcase_detail.aspx?p=23&id=188 "SAFC website - Azadi Showcase"] ]*2005
Austin Film Festival : Best Short Film - Nomination [http://www.adelaidefilmfestival.org/aboutus/affifhistory.html "Adelaide Film Festival - Investment Fund History"] ]*2005
Hamptons International Film Festival - Films of Conflict and Resolution Award - Nomination [http://www.safilm.com.au/showcase_detail.aspx?p=23&id=188 "SAFC website - Azadi Showcase"] ]*2005
Sydney Film Festival - Dendy Awards : Best Short Fiction over 15 minutes - Dendy Awards - Nomination [http://www.shortfilmcentral.com/film/305/screenings/ "Short Film Central - Azadi Profile"] ]*2005
ATOM Awards : Best Short Film - Nomination [http://www.shortfilmcentral.com/film/305/screenings/ "Short Film Central - Azadi Profile"] ]*2006
South Australian Short Screen Awards : Best Cinematography [http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/384/puffio.shtml "DB Magazine - 26 April 2006"] ]*2006
Australian Cinematographers Society Awards : Golden Tripod [http://www.safilm.com.au/content.aspx?p=155 "South Australian Film Corporation - ACS Newsletter"] ]
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