When former Afghan Refugee and photographer, Muzafar Ali, discovers that Afghans have been an integral part of Australia for over 160 years, he begins to photograph their descendants in a search to define his own new Afghan-Australian identity. Then the Taliban take over Afghanistan and his old country comes calling.
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“A wonderful piece of cinema and documentary magic. Undeniably, it touches the soul.”
David Minear - Former Chair South Australian Film Corporation & Adelaide Fringe Festival
“A journey through sadness, hope and sparkling laughter. What a beautiful film!”
Becc Bates - Director Creative Industries, Dept Industry, Innovation & Science, South Australia
“Watandar, My Countryman celebrates the coming together of ancient cultures. Not to be missed.”
Nici Cumpston OAM - Artistic Director Tarnanthi, Curator Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art at the Art Gallery of South Australia, Barkindji Woman
The Afghan Cameleer Descendants, featured in Watandar, My Countryman are Indigenous, Colonial and Immigrants at the same time. When Muzafar decided to photograph them - in an attempt to understand his own new Afghan-Australian identity - we started filming. His experience as a former Afghan-Hazara refugee, along with his wisdom and charisma, presented a rare opportunity to re-examine Australia’s colonial history.
Watandar, My Countryman touches on some of Australia and the world’s biggest geopolitical stories including; the relationship between colonial, ancient and immigrant Australians, our treatment of refugees, the division between the world’s dominant religions, the success and or lack of success of the international forces in Afghanistan, and the power of individuals to create change.
- Jolyon Hoff (Writer/Director/Producer)