Island of the Hungry Ghosts
Synopsis
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
Details
- Year
- 2018
- Type of film
- Features
- Running time
- 93 mins
- Format
- Digital
- Director
-
Gabrielle Brady 1st Feature
- Producer
- Alexander Wadouh, Samm Haillay, Alex Kelly, Gizem Acarla, Gabrielle Brady
- 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
Categories
Production Status
Production Company
Australia, Germany, UK co-production
Third Films
Samm HaillayKingsland Church Studios
Priory Green
Byker
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE6 2DW
Sales Company
Autlook Filmsales
Spittelberggasse 3/141070 Vienna
Austria
Page updates
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