STEVE THOMAS

FREEDOM STORIES (2015)

Directed by Steve Thomas.

The stories of ordinary people, some of whom were only children, who arrived in Australia from the Middle East around 2001 seeking asylum.

Thrust into a hysterical political climate around the Tampa affair and the Australian Federal Government’s stance at the time, they languished in mandatory detention in remote places such as Woomera or Nauru, only to be granted temporary protection visas which extended their limbo for years. Yet with astonishing resilience they have, throughout the last ten years, succeeded in building secure lives and making steadfast contributions to their new country. These are ordinary people who found themselves trapped within the extraordinary consequences of political brinkmanship. Now, finally, it’s time for their voices to be heard.