Chasing Asylum.
Eva Orner's detention-centre documentary Chasing Asylum will have its world premiere at Canada's Hot Docs on April 28 before premiering locally May 5 at the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival in Melbourne.
Orner, who won an Oscar for producing Alex Gibney's Taxi to the Dark Side, will then take the film – which promises to showcase "never before seen footage from inside Australia’s offshore detention camps" – on a roadshow to Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and Alice Springs.
The filmmakers will team up with presenting partners in most locations to host special events, including the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival, Sydney Writers Festival, Adelaide Film Festival, Amnesty International Tasmanian Branch and the Tasmania Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival.
“For too long the Australian Government has been hiding behind a policy of secrecy regarding offshore detention", said Orner.
"The Australian people can’t decide what they think unless they are informed and can see exactly what is going on in our detention centres on Nauru and Manus. I invite all Australians to come and see the film. And then make up their own minds as to whether our treatment of asylum seekers is humane and justified or not”.
Post-tour, film unspools in cinemas nationally from May 26.
Chasing Asylum was executive produced by Robert Connolly among others, and Jill Bilcock served as a consultant editor alongside co-producer/editor Annabelle Johnson.
Watch the trailer here.
Roadshow Dates:
5 May Human Rights Arts & Film Festival, ACMI – Melbourne, VIC
10 May ACT Premiere, Palace Electric – Canberra, ACT
11 May QLD Premiere, Palace Centro – Brisbane, QLD
12 May TAS Premiere, Peacock – Hobart, TAS
17 May SA Premiere, Mercury Cinema – Adelaide, SA
18 May NSW Premiere, Dendy Opera Quays – Sydney, NSW
30 May NT Premiere, Alice Springs Cinema – Alice Springs, NT
31 May WA Premiere, Luna on Essex – Fremantle, WA
7 June Darwin Screening, Deckchair Cinema – Darwin, NT