Documentary Australia Foundation presents
D O C S O C I A L - Impact Documentary Series
INSPIRE. ENGAGE. CHANGE.
Special Refugee Week Documentary Screening
THE BAULKHAM HILLS AFRICAN LADIES TROUPE
EVENT Cinemas, George Street | Wednesday 20 June 1:00pm and 6:30pm
AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF COURAGE AND RESILIENCE, THAT REVEALS THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF STORY-TELLING THROUGH THE ARTS.
Post-screening panel discussion with special guests Aminata Conteh-Biger & Yordanos Hailemichael from The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe.
The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe is an inspirational documentary, celebrating the remarkable resilience and spirit of four African Australian women from Eritrea, Kenya, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Aminata, Rosemary, Yordy and Yarrie all fled violence and sexual abuse in their homelands, eventually finding a safe haven in Australia. For years they each held their pain within, until they decide to join a theatre group and speak out.
Under the nurturing guidance of acclaimed theatre director Ros Horin, the four women came together to let their life stories be transformed into an extraordinary theatrical experience, which became a sell-out success from its very first show.
Filmed over three years this documentary charts the personal journeys of Aminata, Rosemary, Yordy and Yarrie, from their first theatre group meeting through trauma, healing and public triumph, as The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe travels from western Sydney, to the city, to the international stage.
The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe had its World Premiere at the 2017 Sydney Film Festival and was named one of the top five Australian documentaries in the Audience Awards. Following two sell-out screenings at the Melbourne International Film Festival, it came third in the Audience Awards for documentary.
Heartrending, heartfelt and ultimately uplifting, the film offers a message of hope and support for women and children who have suffered around the world, whether in the context of war, in seeking asylum or in a domestic situation.
"The Baulkham Hills African Ladies Troupe documentary is an overwhelming emotional experience. The journey of these extraordinary women is heartrending, heartfelt and ultimately uplifting.What courage they all show. This is a must see, these are our refugees. Thank you Ros Horin for making it." Gillian Armstrong – Director of Oscar and Lucinda