In honour of Cootamundra’s status as a ‘Refugee Welcome Zone’, the Arts Centre will host a special screening of Wagga-made documentary Constance on the Edge on Sunday, January 29.
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Filmed over 10 years, the documentary is an unflinchingly honest portrayal of one refugee family’s resettlement story in regional Australia.
Constance on the Edge follows charismatic Constance, mother of six, as she confronts her painful past in war torn Sudan, and risks everything in Australia so her family can thrive.
Constance on the Edge premiered to a sold out audience at the Sydney Film Festival in June last year.
Film Director Belinda Mason is thrilled her film will be screened in Cootamundra.
“It’s a film for everybody,” she said, adding that audience members reported becoming more aware of the situation and experiences of refugees through seeing the film.
“It’s really helping to raise awareness – giving audiences a way in, beyond news and media reports that so often dehumanise refugees and make their experience ‘other’,” Ms Mason said.
Wagga is a city of just under 60,000 people and home to around 4,600 people born overseas.
It’s really helping to raise awareness – giving audiences a way in.
- Constance on the Edge Director Belinda Mason
While migrants have traditionally identified with English, Irish, Scottish and German ancestry shifting settlement patterns have seen Wagga’s population diversify in recent years.
According to the City of Wagga Wagga, over 30 per cent of local residents are able to speak a second language.
Speaking to members of Cootamundra Shire Council last year, the Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga’s Cheryl Cartwright explained the importance of making refugees feel welcome if they are going to heal from the trauma they have endured.
The Arts Centre said that although no refugees will be settled in Cootamundra under the Refugee Resettlement Program, they may well visit, especially refugee children who are taking part in school or sports activities.
The Cootamundra screening is sponsored by Col Adams Aerial Services and Braybrooks Pharmacy with tickets on sale at Braybrooks Pharmacy or at the door ($10 for adults or $5 for students/pensioners).
The screening is part of the Australia Day weekend celebrations in town, with reference to refugees becoming Australian citizens.
Producer Marguerite Grey, cousin of Cootamundra’s Sue Adams, will be at the Cootamundra screening to answer questions.
