Hope
- Country
- Australia
- Year
- 2007
- Director
- Steve Thomas
- Producer
- Sue Brooks & Steve Thomas
Co-producer Kim Anning - Finance
- Individuals investing under the 10BA tax provisions
Philanthropic grants
Individuals donating via the Australia Cultural Fund, run by the Australian Business Arts Foundation
Australian Film Commission
- Budget
- AUD 120,000 + deferrals
- Length
- 117 minutes
- Website
- www.hopedocumentary.com.au
Synopsis
Four hundred people were pitched into the sea when their people-smuggling boat from Indonesia sank in 2001. 353 drowned. Only 7 of the survivors made it to Australia. Amal Basry, who had fled Iraq, was one of them.
The boat became known as the SIEV X (Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel Unknown) and Amal became an advocate for the survivors. She fought to reunite her family, cope with the aftermath of the disaster and return to Indonesia to 'find what I lost in the ocean'.
Amal had always dreamed of being in a film of her own. Documentary maker Steve Thomas wanted to record her story. So they made a deal. And having embarked on this journey, both were determined to see it through….
Impact
This is the first independent film to tell the story of the SIEV X. It also questions, among other things, Australia's Temporary Protection Visa system.
'Hope' premiered at the 2007 Melbourne International Film Festival. At the time of writing negotiations are underway for theatrical, festival and DVD releases.