This short film captures the journeys of several South Asian-descent migrants to Australia, some from more than fifty years ago, others more recently. Their stories occur within the broader one of Australia as a migrant society since the 1788 European settlements, all those migrant strains interacting to produce today’s multicultural mosaic.
These South Asian citizens now honour their cultural heritage alongside an affection for and loyalty to Australia as a country that has given them opportunities they might otherwise not have had. And they reflect, to, the emergence of the modern Indian diaspora, some coming from India itself, others from the United Kingdom, some from east Africa, others even via the United States of America. Individually, they illustrate the highs and lows of the migrant experience.
One couple had to leave a young son behind in India when leaving for Australia where officials had advised the need to do so financially. That lives with them still, even though fifty years later that son assures them his upbringing in the extended family carried many benefits. Another migrant “made it” in Australia by way of hard work, but it cost him his marriage.
Others experienced the difficulty of being “different” in a once dominantly white society, eventually succeeding despite the obstacles confronted – one became head of nursing services in the very organisation that years earlier declined her first job application because of her colour and accent. A teacher recalls the vast communication gap between himself and his students in rural Australia that forced his return to Sydney. And one woman recalled that setting up an ice-cream shop in Sydney was not the life her parents had imagined for her. But all have done well and appreciate what Australia has done for them, at the same time serving their own communities and the broader one as cultural ambassadors, striving to create even stronger connections between all Australian communities. The success of this film encourages the makers to produce similar ones on other specific communities, as their contribution to the further development of a complex, colourful and creative Australia.
Director Biography – Iqbaal Rizzvi
Iqbaal Rizzvi, the Director, brings to bear his long and distinguished experience in the Indian film and television industry. Based in Mumbai he has worked extensively in Bollywood and other leading film production houses in the subcontinent, delivering hundreds of hours of entertainment to all major outlets. With a long history for covering social issues he is now a leading advocate for creating mental health awareness at educational and other institutions.
Director Statement
This short film celebrates the successes while remembering the challenges faced by immigrants of South Asian descent coming to Australia over the past sixty years. In doing that, it also traces how Australia has moved towards becoming a more inclusive country even if more still remains to be done.
Filmed during a day while gathered to pursue their mutual interests in acting, the participants share stories with each other and with a young Australian who facilitates their sessions. They learn much about each other, themselves and Australia at large. But they demonstrate, too, how much they have contributed to Australia’s social, economic and cultural development, and how much South Asians now are becoming central to national life.
Coming as it does at a time of high interaction between India and Australia, Roads Old & New contributes great insights into the potential power of that relationship, but also to the potential points of disruption brought on by cultural misperceptions.
Bollywood Director Iqbaal Rizzvi, Australia-based Producer Rajiv Chaudhri, and New Zealand-Australian Writer Professor Brian Stoddart bring together their extensive experience and knowledge to create a film that demonstrates their deep affection for and deep connections with both countries while also pointing to areas where both also need to improve.
Roads Old & New, then, is a touchstone to the emerging Indo-Australian relationship.
