Originally conceived as a long short by director Angus McDonald, Freedom Is Beautiful is a timely documentary about the refugee experience in Australia, the cruciality of human rights, and the value in equality for all citizens living under the same rule.
Shining a necessary light on the brutal processing regime that takes place on the shores of our very country – though this process is technically offshore on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea, it’s still under a law to which Australia is a signatory and have been ignoring their obligations – McDonald’s film focuses primarily on Farhad Bandesh and Mostafa (Moz) Azimitabar, two Kurdish refugees who were freed from their Melbourne detention after being imprisoned for almost 8 years.
As much as the film has the potential to anger viewers though, McDonald is committed to highlighting the beauty in such a narrative, presenting his two focal features as the embodiment of hope, as they held on to the ideal of freedom in the face of cruel hardship; their psychological mechanism in coping with their situation emerging as one of their truest strengths.
Farhad and Moz’s story is, unfortunately, not a unique case, but Freedom Is Beautiful utilises their personal account as a vehicle to describe the many asylum seekers and refugees who have been unjustly detained over the years; despite the fact that the Australian Government has a law in place that any international individual fleeing their home countries in fear of persecution are permitted to seek asylum, without a visa, by any mode of transport.
Again, the understandable reaction to be angry is there, but McDonald’s film seems more intent on generating conversation around the light than can be brought forth from such darkness – namely the power of music and the strength in mutual, personal connection. Music and art became a vice for both Farhard and Moz during their time in prison – a beautiful rendition of the Kurdish song “Mey”, performed by Farhad, Moz and cellist Conrad Hamill, appears in the film – and it was their bonding over such which led to their survival as they turned to each other for emotional – and psychological – support.
A stunning portrayal of perseverance, Freedom Is Beautiful truly speaks to its namesake, holding up a mirror to audiences and celebrating a basic right that so many of us take for granted.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Freedom Is Beautiful is screening as part of this year’s Sydney Film Festival, running between June 7th and 18th, 2023. For more information head to the official SFF page.
