My Melbourne, an anthology of four short films directed by renowned Indian filmmakers O’Neill, Kabir Khan, Imtiaz Ali and Rima Das, will be screened at the Chennai International Film Festival. The film explores the four pillars of diversity: sexuality, gender, disability, and race through four unique stories based on true events. Set in Melbourne, each segment celebrates diverse voices and perspectives and highlights Melbourne’s spirit of inclusivity.
Producer Mitu Bhowmik Lange AM shares his experience with the film, recounting its success at the iconic London theater where the 960-seat venue was sold out. “The audience responded with applause and gratitude, just as they did in Melbourne,” she says. Onir, Imtiaz Ali and Rima Das were also present at the Kolkata International Film Festival where their story resonated with the viewers. “Human emotions are universal, so audiences, regardless of language or culture, connected with the film on an emotional level,” explains Mitu.
Looking back on the idea for the film, she said: “Melbourne’s Indian Film Festival has always had a strong short film competition and has seen many great winners. But these filmmakers often fade into the background of their films. Yes, this is probably because it’s difficult to tell our stories without seeing them through a Western lens, and I spoke with O’Neill. , we decided to launch a project to mentor emerging and marginalized creators. Our festival is focused on inclusivity and diversity, with a particular focus on context within Australia’s South Asian film community. So the idea was to create a film that would bring these voices together.”
Each film in the anthology embodies this commitment. Rima Das directed the story of a deaf girl who dreams of dancing. The film features an all-authentic cast and crew, including deaf writers and actors, with no compromises on representation. Kabir Khan’s film centers on race, telling the story of a 15-year-old Afghan cricketer who flees the Taliban and finds a sense of belonging in Melbourne through sport. The character is played by Sitara, an Afghan refugee who was part of the Afghan cricket team but had to flee the country. This film captures this experience with authenticity.
Director Lange said: “All the films are set in Melbourne and told through the lens of immigration. The four iconic directors work closely with local cast and crew from underrepresented backgrounds. We worked together to celebrate diversity on and off screen.”
My Melbourne and Robert Connolly’s Force of Nature – The Dry 2 will be screened by the Australian Consulate General at the upcoming 2024 Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF). Commenting on the showcase, Shirai Zaki, Consul General of Australia in Chennai, said: “Film is a powerful tool for cultural exchange and we are excited to bring Australia’s unique stories to Chennai audiences. ‘My Melbourne’ and ‘The Force’ Screening Nature at CIFF The observation is a testament to the strong relationship between the two countries, further enriched by a vibrant Indian diaspora of over one million people living in Australia.
