LOCAL people have been given a glimpse into the harrowing past lives of Afghan refugees at a film screening in Kerang.
The 2015 documentary, Frame by Frame, details the Taliban’s repression rule and particularly the outlawing of photography.
When the regime fell from power in 2001, free press and photography re-emerged, but now, as foreign troops withdraw, photographers are left to stand on their own.
The documentary follows four Afghan photojournalists “as they navigate an emerging and dangerous media landscape – reframing Afghanistan for the world, and for themselves”.
More than 40 people gathered at Northern District Community Health Service for a barbecue dinner before settling in for the screening, held to coincide with Refugee Week.
The event was organised by the Gannawarra Refugee Support Group, after several of its members saw the documentary in Swan Hill last year.
“It’s not a happy documentary but it gives you an idea how ghastly it is to be looking over your shoulder all the time to see if the Taliban are there,” member Judy Worrall said.
“The purpose of the screening really is to let people know what is going on in Afghanistan.
“People will take away an awareness of what is actually happening in Afghanistan. They’re not all peasants, which a lot of people think they are. They’re as good as anyone else.”
Mrs Worrall said the group, which formed in February 2014, was achieving its aim of combatting misinformation around refugees.
“We just felt too many lies are spread about what these refugees have been through,” she said.
“No, they’re no economic migrants; they’re fleeing for their lives. You don’t stop to get a visa when you’re running.”
The supper which followed the film was thanks to support group members, who worked with the owners of Swan Hill’s Malaysian restaurant – Lesung Batu – throughout the afternoon to make three types of traditional biscuits.
With Gannawarra Shire Council paying the hire cost of the film, proceeds from the night will be used to support Swan Hill’s refugee population, which is comprised primarily of Hazara people from Afghanistan.
Mrs Worrall said the group planned to hold another public event later in the year – possibly an Afghan dinner similar to that held during Refugee Week last year.
