SIMSHAR
GROUNDBREAKING FILM RECALLS THE GREAT SEA TRAGEDY INVOLVING AFRICAN MIGRANTS AND A FAMILY FISHING BOAT
FIRST OFFICIAL ACADEMY AWARDS® SELECTION , “SIMSHAR” SET FOR OCTOBER 1 NATIONAL CINEMA RELEASE IN AUSTRALIA
A special Q&A screening of Simshar with film maker Rebecca Carmone and hosted by Tom Ryan.
Based upon astonishing true events, likely to resonate with Australian audiences, SIMSHAR tells two parallel stories of survival at sea which unravel on and around the Mediterranean island of Malta, culminating when a Maltese fishing family is left stranded in open water after being mistaken for African migrants.
The turmoil and hardship of human migration is played out on this small island between two continents. Today’s ongoing – and often tragic – migrant mass crossings from Africa to Europe across the Mediterranean make SIMSHAR a pertinent and timely story.
This is the first international feature film to come out of Malta, and was shot entirely on the island. SIMSHAR was also selected as Malta’s first official entry for Best Foreign Language Film in the 87th Academy Awards® and the first feature film from Malta to enter the international market.
Feedback/Comments
Pertinent and well executed.
Having to read sub titles made it a bit tricky to follow. Not sure that it needed two parallel stories together. Filming and production good.
Very good movie which will create a lot of discussion. At first I found it difficult to establish who was who and where they fit in the story, I think this was probably because of the time it takes to read sub titles and then digest that information. However, by the end I'm thinking "Ah , that's the point she is making"
A moving and very thought provoking film with excellent music followed by a lively Q&A session.
Great movie with Q&A afterwards with movie director.
Dramatized combined retelling of two events from 2008. Tragically even more relevant today than back then. The issues of the mass movement of refugees around the globe starkly shown in the large political context as well as the intimate, personal effect it can produce at the family level. Deftly portraying the perfunctory efforts of the government to "....appear compassionate" as well as holding a mirror up to ourselves in eliciting our reaction to animal cruelty comparative to human suffering. As a first feature length film from both writer director Rebecca Carbone and Malta this film has done them both proud in telling one their country's stories. The world should look forward with great anticipation to future instalments. Highly recommended. The preview screening was greatly enhanced by the Q&A session with Rebecca afterwards, adding more depth and understanding to the film's story and journey.
Touching story