Directed by Benjamin Gilmour

Narrative Feature / Australia / 79 mins

Strand: Politico / In competition

UK Premiere

Review:

Western cinematic perspectives on the many wars fought in the Middle East have often been hamstrung by a distinct lack of nuance. The ‘terrorists’ - whoever they might be - are painted with a single brushstroke as villains, and the conquering heroes are seen as agents of good and justice. JIRGA twists this narrative. Sam Smith (THE NIGHTINGALE) stars as Mike Wheeler, an ex-Australian military solider. He has returned to Afghanistan, searching out the village that had been the target of a raid in which he shot and killed an innocent. He wishes to make amends.

On his journey, filmed against the magnificent vistas of Afghanistan’s scorched hinterlands, Mike comes into contact with a variety of people. Most are hostile but - essentially - not barbaric. Even the Taliban (some of whom are portrayed by former members of the Taliban) are far from the scimitar-wielding caricatures most familiar in western portrayals. Writer and director Benjamin Gilmour (winner of the Independent Spirit Award for his debut film SON OF A LION) has created a film of sensitive nuance, one concerning a subject so often lost to masculine posturing and bellicose flag-waving. An essential revision and reflection of a conflict long distorted in the western media. / Review by Milo Garner

Website

Credits:

Director: Benjamin Gilmour

Writer: Benjamin Gilmour

Producer: John Maynard

Executive Producer: David Gross, Bridget Ikin

Cast: Sam Smith, Sher Alam Miskeen Ustad, Amir Shah Talash

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The Sound of Your Voice

Directed by Hunt Beaty

Narrative Short / USA / 8 mins

International Premiere

A voice-over artist is haunted by a past relationship as she sinks deep into the isolation of the recording booth.