Monday 12 September 2016

Western Riverina Arts presents Constance on the Edge!


Western Riverina Arts presents: Constance on the Edge - an unflinchingly honest portrayal of one refugee family’s resettlement story in Australia.
"In Africa I was fighting for survival; In the refugee camps I was fighting
for human rights, and here in Australia, I am fighting for belonging."
- Constance

One family. Two wars. Three countries. What does it take to forge a new life far from home?
Walk in the shoes of a Sudanese refugee as her resilience is tested to the limit striving for a settled life in rural Wagga Wagga, NSW. Constance on the Edge tells the story of feisty and charismatic Constance, a mother of six leading her family away from their painful past in war torn Sudan and years spent in border camps before making the regional NSW town their new home and risking everything in Australia so her family can thrive.

Constance and her family are facing serious challenges – discrimination, disappointments, run-ins with the law and the resurgence of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Mary, Constance’s niece, finds it impossible to find a job in Wagga; Vicky, her daughter, studies every morning from 4am, hoping to get into university and Charles, 23, is struggling with alienation and depression.

Director and Human Rights Award Winner Belinda Mason wanted to put refugee issues at the forefront of people’s minds. "Refugees are strengthening our communities across the country. I envision Constance on the Edge as contributing to the national conversation around refugees by highlighting the complex issues and experiences they face in Australia. What we gain as a nation by creating more welcoming communities for refugees is at the heart of this story."

Nominated as a Finalist for the 2016 Sydney Film Festival for the Documentary Australia Foundation Award in the category Australian Documentary, Constance on the Edge gets to the heart of a contemporary untold story about the courage and resilience it takes to build new lives.

Western Riverina Arts Executive Officer Derek Motion is excited to be able to bring the movie to theatres in Leeton and Griffith. "In light of the current global refugee crisis this topic seams more important than ever and to raise awareness and acceptance with a story right from our region is great. It also presents a fantastic opportunity to have the Director and Constance talk about the creative process and outcomes of the film."

Filmed over 10 years Constance on the Edge is a longitudinal study of one refugee family’s struggle to forge a new life in Australia and the important role communities play in encouraging a sense of belonging for everyone.

Presented by Western Riverina Arts Constance on the Edge will be coming to movie theaters in Leeton and Griffith 24 & 25 September. The 80 minute film will be followed by a Q&A with Director Belinda Mason and Constance. We would love to see you there!

24 September 2 pm Roxy Community Theatre Leeton
25 September 2.30 pm Griffith City Cinema Griffith


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