Filmed entirely in Melbourne, the anthology film My Melbourne features four unique diverse stories based on true incidents themed around the four pillars of diversity – sexuality, gender, disability, and race, directed by four iconic Indian filmmakers – Onir, Rima Das, Imtiaz Ali and Kabir Khan.
My Melbourne is a truly inclusive feature film, celebrating diverse voices and talents. The four filmmakers worked with emerging Australian creatives from underrepresented backgrounds to create four films about identity and belonging, based on authentic migrant experiences.
“Our goal for My Melbourne is not only to create an entertaining feature film that is authentic, contemporary, honest and relevant but also to discover and nurture the next generation of underrepresented diverse filmmakers and their unique stories,” said Producer of My Melbourne and director of IFFM, Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM.
“Working with four of the most respected filmmakers in India, our local Australian emerging creatives from underrepresented backgrounds learnt from the best without compromising on their cultural and authentic narrative styles.”
Each story is so different yet connected by the common theme of identity and the search for a sense of belonging of authentic ordinary heroes of everyday life from marginalised communities.
Whether it’s a gay son finding his sense of belonging through his father’s acceptance of his sexuality, a young deaf dancer finding peace by seeing the beauty in her noiseless world, a newly married, tormented girl standing up for herself, or a young, displaced Afghani player finding her sense of belonging through cricket, each story is a beautiful journey of self-discovery.
“We believe that the success of telling a story comes from its authenticity and empathy. This has always been our endeavour with My Melbourne The film has been made with a lot of love, across cultures and countries, with a diverse cast and crew of different abilities, languages, and backgrounds. The film and its making have been a celebration, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do,” said Mitu.
“Like the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, the My Melbourne project is a celebration of our city, our screen industry and of the many cultures and diverse communities that call our state home,” said Minister for Creative Industries, Colin Brooks.
“The Allan Labor Government is proud to have backed this unique production that not only tells local stories but has enabled local creatives to take the next step in their careers by connecting with and learning from leading Indian filmmakers.”
The My Melbourne anthology includes:
EMMA
Director: Rima Das | Co-Director: Samira Cox | Language: English & Auslan
Emma is a talented deaf dancer in her early 20s, living with Usher’s Syndrome, with increasing doubts over her sense of self and her career as a professional dancer. Since childhood, she has dreamed of dancing professionally, but industry discrimination and other struggles are holding her back and altering her relationship with dance.
Emma is encouraged to dance by Jai, her friends, and her loving mother who is her biggest supporter. However, no one truly understands her unique challenges until she meets Nathan, a highly successful deaf dancer who is at peace with himself.
Rima Das is one of India’s most celebrated filmmakers and winner of several national and international awards, creating two of India’s most celebrated films in the international arena. From Assam to the Oscars, Rima’s determination and vision exemplify truly independent cinema.
NANDINI
Director: Onir | Co-Director: William Duan | Language: English & Bengali
A story of grief and forgiveness, Nandini follows the reunion of a queer Indian man, Indraneel and his father Mihir after many years of estrangement. The pair are thrust together again when Mihir comes from India to Melbourne to complete the Asthi Visarjan ash-spreading ceremony after the passing of his late wife, Indraneel’s mother.
Onir is one of India’s most iconic filmmakers, often referred to as the face of India’s Indie Cinema and the LGBTQI movement. He is best known for his film, My Brother… Nikhil, based on the life of Dominic d’Souza. Nikhil was one of the first mainstream Hindi films to deal with AIDS and same-sex relationships.
JULES
Director: Imtiaz Ali | Co-Director: Tammy Yang | Language: Hindi & English
Sakshi is a 23-year-old newly married girl who has recently moved to Melbourne. She has no friends, a controlling husband, a passion for food blogging and a love for vanilla slices. Jules is a 52-year-old homeless woman, with a critical tongue, a survivor’s spirit, and a flair for crossword puzzles and poetry.
Their world collides on the pavement of Melbourne when a timid Sakshi comes face to face with an irate Jules. While no two people are more different, no two women are more displaced, they form an unlikely connection as they navigate their individual struggles.
Imtiaz Ali is often described as Bollywood’s bard of young, modern love. The creator of several beautiful and complex films about love and identity, Imtiaz is a highly regarded writer, producer and director. Ali’s latest film Amar Singh Chamkila (2024), a biographical film about the legendary Punjabi singer, is garnering exceptional success since its April 2024 release on Netflix.
SETARA
Director: Kabir Khan | Co-Director: Puneet Gulati | Language: English & Dari
Setara follows a journey of belonging for a 15-year-old girl as she attempts to rebuild her life in Melbourne after fleeing Taliban rule in Afghanistan with her mother and older sister.
The three women do their best to move forward with their lives, but they are rooted in their past and harbour painful loss, further complicated by growing tensions within the family. Based on Setara’s life, the film is the story of her finding her sense of belonging through cricket.
Multi-award-winning director Kabir Khan is one of India’s most respected and sought-after filmmakers with a style very much his own. Khan began as a documentary filmmaker and is known for his brilliant cinematographic skills.
My Melbourne will have its world premiere at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) on Thursday 15 August 2024. The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne runs 15 – 25 August 2024. For more information, visit: www.iffm.com.au for details.
Image: NANDINI (dir. Onir)