FEATURED PROJECT - FREEDOM OR DEATH
Synopsis
Freedom or Death is a documentary about the refugees who were detained in Australia's most remote offshore detention centre on the impoverished Pacific Island of Nauru.
This intensely human story deals with the personal impact of the Australian Government's Pacific Solution. The story emerges through personal interviews with key people directly involved with the issue, united by a common concern for the refugees.
And it is the inspiring story of Chaman Shah Nasiri, a Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, who represented the detainees. When claims for asylum were rejected following prolonged and indefinite incarceration, a group of detainees began a hunger strike in a final act of desperation. Their official statement and slogan was freedom or death.
This documentary explores a deeply controversial chapter in our history exposing human rights abuses, which were deliberately hidden from the international community. It brings light to key issues including children in detention, the forced separation of families, Nauru's environmental degradation, and the hunger strikes.
Featuring interviews with Frederika Steen, Hassan Ghulam, Chaman Shah Nasiri, Julian Burnside QC, Andrew Bartlett, Keith Davis and Dr Sima Samar.
Nominated - Best Social Political Documentary ATOM 2009
Nominated - Best Tertiary Documentary ATOM 2009
Winner - Best Editing - Centrescreen Awards 2009
This intensely human story deals with the personal impact of the Australian Government's Pacific Solution. The story emerges through personal interviews with key people directly involved with the issue, united by a common concern for the refugees.
And it is the inspiring story of Chaman Shah Nasiri, a Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, who represented the detainees. When claims for asylum were rejected following prolonged and indefinite incarceration, a group of detainees began a hunger strike in a final act of desperation. Their official statement and slogan was freedom or death.
This documentary explores a deeply controversial chapter in our history exposing human rights abuses, which were deliberately hidden from the international community. It brings light to key issues including children in detention, the forced separation of families, Nauru's environmental degradation, and the hunger strikes.
Featuring interviews with Frederika Steen, Hassan Ghulam, Chaman Shah Nasiri, Julian Burnside QC, Andrew Bartlett, Keith Davis and Dr Sima Samar.
Nominated - Best Social Political Documentary ATOM 2009
Nominated - Best Tertiary Documentary ATOM 2009
Winner - Best Editing - Centrescreen Awards 2009
Title: Freedom or Death
Year: 2008
Genre: Documentary
Producer/Director: Elliot Spencer
Language: English
Duration: 27min
Country of Production: Australia
Status: Completed
Year: 2008
Genre: Documentary
Producer/Director: Elliot Spencer
Language: English
Duration: 27min
Country of Production: Australia
Status: Completed