Project Detail

Island of the Hungry Ghosts

Synopsis

A cinematic hybrid film which tells the tragedy of Australia’s biggest offshore refugee detention centre against the backdrop of seemingly ordinary life on this remote island.
Christmas Island, home to the famous red crabs, itself is a protagonist and in its beautiful yet threatening landscape we witness past and present moments of chaotic human migrations, that play out in stark contrast to its own ancient rhythms. Through stories of the island's first human migrations and the natural phenomenon of the annual crab migration, we come to arrive at a darker side of this seemingly idyllic paradise. Hidden in the core of the jungle sits Australia’s biggest offshore refugee detention centre. It was built to not be seen, yet in this film every encounter takes us closer, every direction leads us there.
The crab migration comes to serve as an allegory for the natural movements of migration ancient and timeless. The natural spectacle sits in stark contrast to the chaotic human movements and entrapment that are senseless and absurd.
Official Selection Tribeca Film Festival 2018 - Documentary Competition - World premiere

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Details

Year: 2018
Type of project: Features
Running time: 93 mins
Format: Digital
Director: Gabrielle Brady 1st Feature
Producer: Alexander Wadouh, Samm Haillay, Alex Kelly, Gizem Acarla, Gabrielle Brady
Co-Producer: Julia Niethammer
Executive Producer: Lizzie Franke, Sarah Perks
Editor: Katharina Fiedler
Screenwriter: Gabrielle Brady
Director of Photography: Michael Latham
Sound: Leo Dolgan
Composer: Aaron Cupples
Principal cast: Poh-Lin Lee

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

Australia, Germany, UK co-production

Third Films

Samm Haillay
Kingsland Church Studios
Priory Green
Byker
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE6 2DW

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Sales Company

Autlook Filmsales

Spittelberggasse 3/14
1070 Vienna
Austria

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