In a world often inundated with distractions, the stirring documentary, Hope, reminds us of the power of storytelling to bridge gaps, foster understanding, and ignite change.
Watch 'Hope' on Beamafilm now!
The Aitkenvale branch of Townsville CityLibraries became a hub of empathy and enlightenment last week as it hosted a screening of the impactful documentary "Hope" by Steve Thomas. The screening was thoughtfully curated in conjunction with the art exhibition 'Seeking Safety by Sea,' featuring the poignant works of Melbourne artist Kate Durham. The combination of visual storytelling through art and film created a powerful narrative that resonated with attendees and the event was not only an opportunity for the community to come together but also a chance to shed light on the SievX tragedy, a pivotal moment of which many remain unaware.
The 2001 SIEV-X tragedy is the greatest maritime catastrophe off Australian shores since World War Two. It is estimated that 146 children, 142 women and 65 men lost their lives when their boat sank. Their boat became known as SIEV-X (SIEV being the acronym used by the Australian Defence Force since 2001 for Suspected Illegal Entry Vessels with the X standing for unknown intercepted refugee boat). Of the 400 asylum seekers who were pitched into the sea when their people-smuggling boat from Indonesia sank on its way to Australia, 353 people drowned. Only seven survivors made it to Australia. Amal Basry was one of those survivors, spending 22 hours in the ocean hanging on to a floating corpse, convinced that her son was dead and she was the only person left alive.
Through this powerful documentary acclaimed director Steve Thomas records Amal's life story as she fights to be reunited with her family and to ensure that the disaster is not forgotten. Thomas tells us that Hope is an inspirational tale of family and the search for a better life in Australia and a note on IMDB adds that "Amal Basry watched 'The Titanic' at a cinema in Baghdad the night before she fled Iraq. 18 months later, the people smuggling boat she was on sank between Indonesia and Australia. Amal survived by clinging to the floating body of a dead woman...now Amal fights to ensure that the disaster is not forgotten, to reunite her family and to 'find what it was I lost in the ocean'."
Shortly after the screening, Beamafilm received a heartfelt email from Omer, a member of the Townsville Islamic Community, expressing the profound impact the documentary had on her family. One of her daughters was moved to tears, a testament to the emotional depth and resonance of "Hope." Omer's words echoed a sentiment of newfound awareness and empathy. She shared, "The documentary was eye-opening and informative of the SievX tragedy. This was something I wasn’t unaware of therefore I learnt a lot and will be more aware of this tragedy. I feel that more people need to be informed of this tragedy. It allowed me to enter a new perspective and experience life through the eyes of asylum seekers who are still suffering from the trauma they faced during the tragedy. Knowing that the people who died during the tragedy are not only the victims but also the people who survived really stuck with me."
The film serves as a window into the lives of asylum seekers still grappling with the trauma of the SievX tragedy, offering viewers a chance to see the world through their eyes. Perhaps one of the most poignant revelations from Omer was her realization that the victims of the SievX tragedy were not just those who lost their lives but also those who survived and are left to grapple with the scars of their harrowing experiences. Omer highlights the importance of bringing such narratives to the forefront, also stating that "I think it is very beneficial to screen movies like this as it educates the community and allows us to be more considerate, grateful, and empathetic towards people."
More than two decades on from the SievX tragedy, Amnesty International remind us that "claims persist that Australian authorities could have done more to assist the victims of the sinking ship and that details of the incident have been withheld from the public" asking "Was there a cover-up? What did the government and its agencies know about the boat and its fate? Given the government’s policy of deterring asylum seekers, was the tragedy allowed to happen?” Amnesty International states that it is “deeply concerned that boat turn-backs by the Australian Border Force continue and that innocent lives are put at risk as a result of Australian Government policy. Thousands of refugees and asylum seekers in Australia still live in limbo because of long delays in the visa processing system. This exhibition reminds us that the world remains a dangerous place for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. More than 186,000 people have attempted to cross the Mediterranean by boat in 2023 alone. Many of those boats have sunk resulting in 2,500 people drowning. In the lead-up to International Human Rights Day on Sunday, December 10, 2023, we continue to call on the Australian Government to adopt a humane and compassionate response to refugees and asylum seekers.”
In a world often inundated with distractions, events like these remind us of the power of storytelling to bridge gaps, foster understanding, and ignite change. The success of the screening at Townsville CityLibraries signals a collective appetite for films that not only entertain but also challenge and inspire us to be more empathetic citizens of the world. Through Beamafilm, Steve Thomas's influential documentary is now reaching audiences beyond the library walls, sparking conversations and reflections from Townsville to TV screens around the country. Stream this remarkable film now to help catalyse understanding, compassion, and a collective call to action. As we mark International Human Rights Day 2023, join us in demanding a more humane and compassionate response to refugees and asylum seekers from the Australian Government.
Hope is available to stream for free on Beamafilm with your participating library card, or on a 30-day trial.
