Nandini explores the theme of sexuality. The film tells the poignant story of Indraneel (Arka Das), a queer Indian man, and his estranged father, Mihir (Mouli Ganguly), who are reunited after years of separation when Mihir travels from India to Melbourne to complete the Asthi Visarjan ceremony following the death of his wife, Indraneel’s mother. The narrative delves into the complexities of father-son relationships, especially within the context of being queer, while also exploring themes of grief, forgiveness, and the human ability to find light even in the darkest of times. Indraneel’s Australian lover (Jackson Gallagher), helps matters along by being his cordial best in the tense situation. The film, directed by Onir, talks about inclusivity and letting go and has fine performances by the three actors. Its screenplay has been written by Gregory Francis and William Duan, a queer filmmaker, Chinese-Australian filmmaker, who is also the co-director.
Jules tells the story of Sakshi (Arushi Sharma), a 23-year-old newly married woman who feels isolated in Melbourne, where she has no friends and a controlling husband. Passionate about food blogging and fond of vanilla slices, she crosses paths with Jules (Kat Stewart), a 52-year-old homeless woman with a sharp tongue and a strong survival instinct. Despite their vast differences, the two women form an unlikely bond as they navigate their individual struggles. Directed by Imtiaz Ali and Arif Ali, the film explores themes of displacement and connection and also strikes a blow against patriarchy. The screenplay was written by Arif Ali, Shivangi Bhowmick, and Monique Nair, with co-direction by Tammy Yang, an emerging filmmaker with an interest in intercultural storytelling.
Emma centers around the theme of disability. The film follows Emma (Ryanna Lawson), a talented deaf dancer in her early 20s, who faces self-doubt and discrimination in the professional dance industry. Despite her passion for dance, she struggles with her identity and place within the industry. Encouraged by her friends, her loving mother, and a new mentor, Nathan (Nathan Borg), a successful deaf dancer at peace with himself, Emma begins to find the strength to pursue her dreams. Directed by Rima Das, with a screenplay by Samira Cox and Monique Nair, the film is unique in the sense that both the lead actress Ryanna and Nathan, her mentor, are actually deaf. Samira Cox, who has Usher syndrome, has co-directed the film and brings a personal connection to the film, having previously won awards for her work in the deaf community.
Setara addresses the theme of race. The film follows the journey of Setara (Setara Amiri), a 15-year-old girl who flees the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan and relocates to Melbourne with her mother and older sister. As they try to rebuild their lives, they struggle with the trauma of their past, and tensions rise within the family. Setara’s search for belonging leads her to cricket, which becomes a means of healing and empowerment. Directed by Kabir Khan, the film is co-directed by Puneet Gulati, a Melbourne-based filmmaker. Setara Amiri, whose life inspired the story, portrays a character based on her own experiences as a former member of the Afghanistan national cricket team. The screenplay, written by Monique Nair and Setara’s sister Nazifa Amiri, sheds light on the challenges faced by refugees and the role of sport in overcoming adversity. It was good to see Australian cricketing legend Brad Hodge playing coach and mentor to Setara.
All-in-all, My Melbourne encapsulates a variety of human experiences and leaves the viewers on a positive note. Our pick of the lot is Setara, with Jules coming a close second. All the films stand tall on their own merit and the anthology makes for a lovely viewing.
See Also: My Melbourne Trailer : Four Powerful Stories Of Identity & Resilience
