My Brother The Devil – Canberra
Supported by
Supported by the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
Power, poverty and sexuality. My Brother the Devil is a coming-of-age drama like no other. Rashid and Mo are two Arab-British brothers growing up in the Hackney council flats with their Egyptian parents. Rashid, the eldest, is already involved in the gritty underworld of drugs and gangs, but holds higher hopes for his younger brother Mo. When a tragic event brings the brothers face-to-face with the realities of urban violence, Rashid attempts to get out while Mo becomes more determined than ever to step up and take his place. A story about brotherhood and belonging, My Brother the Devil is a slick and energetic portrayal of migrant youth pushed to the fringe.
“Sally El Hosaini brings sensitivity, distinctive identity and an invigorating adrenaline charge to a story of criminally inclined youth in suburban East London in her dynamic first feature.” — David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter
In the Shadow of the Sun – Canberra (Opening Night)
Supported by
Supported by the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
Albinos in Tanzania have traditionally been perceived as almost mythical beings. To some they are ghosts who cannot die; to others the result of a family curse. In 2007, after a wave of albino murders, a disturbing myth is exposed: witch doctors are calling for albinos to be hunted, claiming their limbs will bring wealth and good fortune.
For Josephat Torner, an albino himself, the only choice is to take action. He packs his bags, farewells his family, and sets out across the country, visiting villages in the hope that by confronting the superstitions he can stop the killings. Along the way, he meets many albino children who have been taken from their homes, forced to live in hiding behind high walls – “One of the many things we have had to learn is to live in danger.” Shot over six years, In the Shadow of the Sun is the story of a man who stands up to persecution, putting his life on the line to change the world in which he lives.
Includes a complimentary drink on arrival
Alias Ruby Blade – Canberra (Closing Night)
Supported by
Supported by the ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
Intrigue. Romance. Revolution. It all comes together in this action-packed documentary, which chronicles the tumultuous birth of a new nation in East Timor through a never-before-seen perspective. Kirsty Sword, a young Australian activist, aspired to be a documentary filmmaker, but instead became an underground operative for the Timorese resistance in Jakarta, code named ‘Ruby Blade’. Her task: to become a conduit of information and instruction for the enigmatic leader of the resistance, Kay Rala “Xanana” Gusmão, while he was serving time in prison for his revolutionary activities. Through correspondence, Xanana and Kirsty drew ever closer. Alias Ruby Blade captures their incredible story from this beginning to the ultimate triumph of freedom in East Timor, demonstrating the astonishing power of individuals to change the course of history.
