Gîtar PRESS KIT

Short Film / Drama / 2023

Written and Directed by Jack Rintoul

Starring Farhad Bandesh

One-Liner

At a prison camp on Manus Island, a conflict arises between detained refugees and the guards.

Synopsis

In a prison camp on Manus Island, men who have sought asylum in Australia are imprisoned by the Australian Government. There, out of sight and out of mind, the prisoners endure regular debasement at the hands of the guards. When guards attempt to confiscate a guitar from the detainee Farhad, labelling it a dangerous object, Farhad can’t suppress his sense of injustice. He takes a stand for his human rights, forcing the guards to respond. 

DOWNLOADS

Cast

  • Farhad Bandesh - 'Farhad'

    Farhad Bandesh is a Kurdish musician and artist who fled his homeland seeking safety, only to be imprisoned by the Australian Government on Manus Island, and in Melbourne, for nearly 8 years.

    During his captivity in the refugee detention centre prison camps Farhad protested peacefully and continuously against the governments cruel and inhumane policies using music and art. He wanted to raise awareness about the cruelty inflicted on people by these policies and prisons, and highlight human rights abuses. He released 8 songs and over 150 artworks whilst imprisoned.

    Farhad is currently in community, but has no permanent visa. It has been 10 years since his arrival and his fight continues to have a free and safe life.

  • Bruce Hunt-Hughes - 'Alex'

    Since graduating from NIDA in 1986, Bruce Hunt-Hughes (a.k.a. Bruce Hughes) has been a regular on stage and screen in Sydney, Melbourne, London and New York, most recently playing Queens Councillor Cohen in a Disney+ production of The Clearing alongside Guy Pearce.

    Bruce’s previous roles include a serial killer in Halifax f.p., a judge in On the Beach, a police prosecutor in Law of the Land, a sleazy businessman in Families, a cad in Man From Snowy River, a clairvoyant in Signs of Life, a thug in Flipper, a vet in A Country Practice, a newshound in Blue Heelers, a white-collar heroin addict in GP, a guitar hero maths teacher in A Last Resort, Commander Wellington in Ocean Girl and a gremlin in The Portable Door. On stage Bruce played Hades in Orpheus (Four Larks Theatre), Rick in Six Degrees of Separation (Sydney Theatre Company) Tristan Tzara in Travesties (Hole-in-the-Wall Theatre, Perth), Mitch in Streetcar Named Desire (Shaw Theatre, London), and Oberon in Midsummernight’s Dream (Shakepeare-in-the-Park, Melbourne).

  • Fariborz Pakzamir - 'Dana'

    Fariborz Pakzamir, an Iranian-Australian artist based in Melbourne, excels in acting, playwriting, directing, radio broadcasting, and poetry. In 2023, he played a supporting role in the award-winning film "Shayda," directed by Noora Niasari and executive produced by Cate Blanchett. It has garnered multiple awards and set to represent Australia at the 2024 Oscars. Other notable works also include the lead role in the internationally acclaimed short film "17 Years and a Day” and another lead role in the award-winning short film "The Arm," directed by the American Bita Haidarian.

    In theatre, Fariborz took lead roles in Melbourne productions like "Remembering Cherry Tree" at La Mama, "Wherever I Am", and "Seven Valleys."

    He served as radio broadcaster at 3CR for 14 years and produced a poetry CD album. His stage performances earned him the "Artist of the Month Award" from the Boite for outstanding contributions to Melbourne's cultural and artistic landscape.

  • Jasy Holt - 'Alicia'

    Jasy started acting in 2014, specialising in Film and TV. Her biggest credit was a bit-part on Wentworth before she took a short break to focus on spirituality and a bachelor's degree in Film/Television Writing and Journalism. This is her first film project since her return. She was drawn to Gîtar because it brings fundamental human rights issues to light that are often hidden from the public eye.

  • Takudzwa Matsatsa - 'Ervin'

    Takudzwa Matsatsa is an actor based in Melbourne, Australia and is currently studying at NIDA for screen acting. Born in Luton UK, Takudzwa at a young age, was involved in numerous theatre plays and after moving to Australia decided to professionally pursue acting as a career. Since then Takudzwa has been involved in a few short films, a bit part in an ABC 3 TV Show (Turn Up The Volume), feature films and his recent short film which premiered at the 66th Melbourne International Film Festival. He is excited to dive into more feature films and collaborative projects in the future.

  • Luke Stephens - 'Michael'

    Luke Stephens is an accomplished Australian actor and singer, graduated from Deakin University and went on to study at the National Theatre Drama School in Melbourne.

    Luke appeared in City Homicide in the nefarious role of Samuel Bowler. Other credits include Home & Away, Love Bytes (Fox TV), My Brother Jack (Network 10), Monday Dump with Roy & HG (Network 7), Denise (Network 7), Access All Areas (Project Greenlight Fox TV) and short films: Mac The Knife, The Weather in London, Odyssey and Fragmentary Experience. Luke also stared in Hard Rubbish for Raw Nerve & Screen Australia.

Farhad’s StatEment

Gitar is a representation of an incident that happened to me whilst I was imprisoned on Manus Island. It is about one incident, on one day. There were so many incidents like this, every day. 

Jack Rintoul asked to collaborate on this short film and I was honored to be a part of it. I also think it is important to share as many stories as possible to raise awareness about human rights abuses. 

Without art and music, I would not have survived the years of cruelty. I managed to collaborate with numerous Australian people, musicians and artists whilst imprisoned. It kept me alive; it gave me hope. It raised awareness. 

This is my acting debut. I wanted to play the part of myself because it is my lived experience and I know exactly how it felt and hoped to convey it in a way so people could really feel me. 

I have a newfound love for acting and want to keep going. I will admit it was triggering and traumatic at times reliving this experience. I was grateful for a beautiful cast and crew who supported me. 

Key Crew

  • Jack Rintoul - Writer / Director

    Jack Rintoul is a writer and director from Melbourne, Australia. After graduating from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2017, he co-founded the award winning production company Wendyhouse Films. He is a passionate storyteller and a committed supporter of human rights causes.

  • Helen Turton, Producer

    Helen Turton is an award-winning filmmaker and the co-founder of Wendyhouse Films. She works across narrative and documentary projects, many of which have screened at renowned international film festivals. Helen is passionate about seeking out and developing compelling stories that challenge audiences.

  • Cieavash Arean, Composer

    Cieavash Arean came to Australia as a political refugee from Iran in 1988. He is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist playing traditional Persian instruments. He has had the privilege of playing with two masters, James Morrison and Herbie Hancock on International Jazz Day 2019.

  • Tiana Lioulios, Production Designer

    With a background in the Visual Arts, a Bachelor Degree in Film and Television and an overarching passion for all things design, Tiana immerses herself in both the Art and Wardrobe departments - working as a Production Designer as well as a Costume Designer.

    Her design work has recieved nominations by the APDG, films awarded at various international Film Festivals including WorldFest Houston International Film Festival, screenings at St Kilda Film Festival, across Palace Cinemas and SBS on Demand.

  • CJ Dobson CSI, Supervising Colourist

    CJ has been a film colourist for over a decade at some of the industries leading post-production facilities.

    Over their career, CJ has collaborated with filmmakers on 100’s productions from high-end branded content through to episodic and feature films. Notably AACTA Award-winning The Newsreader, Academy Award-nominated Tanna, Sundance selected film Relic and Palme D’Or-winning short All These Creatures.

    CJ’s passion for establishing mood through colour and light, along with a love of gadgets and technology, is what drives her.

  • Ryan Granger, Sound Designer and Mixer

    Ryan Granger is an award winning, multi disciplinary sound designer with a background in the sound arts. His work has been heard around the globe from commercials, games, television and feature films. With a long standing passion for immersive environments, his ongoing focus tends to sway to new innovations in audio technology such as Dolby Atmos, XR/VR and gaming.

    Notable work: Time Addicts (2023), The Future of Everything (2022), Anonymous Club (2021),  Relic (2020), Sesame Street (various segments), Lost and Found (2018 academy award shortlisted)

Director’s StatEment

In 2019, I was given an opportunity to work with Farhad Bandesh, an artist, a musician and a refugee.

He was at that time still detained on Manus Island. With Farhad leading creatively from Manus, we produced a music video expressing his despair at being held in indefinite detention.

We kept in touch afterward and have remained friends.

When we began collaborating on Gîtar, a short film inspired by Farhad’s lived experience, Farhad consulted on all major creative decisions. He also played the lead role in the film and contributed original music. His artistry and integrity were inspirational throughout the process.

My desire in making this film was to use what talents I and my collaborators have, to bolster the platform for people like Farhad who continue to fight for the rights of asylum seekers.

Q & A

  • In 2019, Farhad was still detained on Manus. Despite limited communication with Australia, he managed to arrange musical collaborations with artists in Melbourne, and had produced a track called ‘The Big Exhale’. Farhad’s friends in Melbourne reached out to Wendyhouse to see if they’d be interested in collaborating on a music video. They were and so a creative partnership began. Farhad would communicate his wishes from the Detention Centre, and Wendyhouse worked to bring them to life. Wendyhouse kept in touch with Farhad and when he was released, began work on Gîtar.

  • The inspiration for the story was an article written by Behrouz Boochani for The Guardian which described the importance of music to detained asylum seekers. Boochani recalled a day in which fellow Kurdish refugee, Farhad Bandesh was targeted by the guards. He saw them confiscate Farhad’s guitar on the pretext that the strings could be used as a means of suicide. After reading the article, Jack discussed the idea of creating a fictional short film with Farhad, using this scenario as the central premise, amalgamated by his broader experience of detention.

  • Gîtar is the Kurdish word for guitar, rendered in the Latin alphabet.

  • The team were wary of re-exposing Farhad to traumas, and so Farhad was not initially considered for the role. When finding the right actor to play the role proved difficult, Farhad suggested he take it on. After discussing some support structures for him and conducting a screen test, we knew Farhad would be the best person to tell the story.

  • Along with casting Farhad in the lead role, Wendyhouse sought to engage other refugees in key positions.

    Fariborz Pakzamir, who plays Dana, fled Iran by foot after members of his family were executed by the government. He made his way through Afghanistan and on to Pakistan, nearly losing his life more than once. He came to Australia as a refugee in 1984.

    The film’s composer Cieavash Arean was imprisoned in Tehran’s Evin Prison for harbouring a friend who was a freedom fighter against the Islamic regime. After two years of systematic physical and mental torture Cieavash was released but found himself unable to work due to his political imprisonment record. To support his wife and a son he decided to leave Iran. He came to Australia as a refugee in 1988.

  • Principal photography took place in Cairns. The team sought out a tropical environment similar to that of Manus Island and Far North Queensland delivered. Unpredictable weather and clouds of midges from the nearby Baron River made shooting difficult, but passion amongst the cast and crew remained high despite these conditions.

  • Pre-Production on Gîtar began in 2020, prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Extensive lockdowns in Melbourne put production on hold until 2022. The film was shot over a week in July of that year, and completed post production in early 2023.

  • On Manus, detainees endured many dehumanising practises. They were referred to by number, denied adequate hygiene, made to wear ill fitting clothes, and given poor quality food.

    The confiscation of Farhad’s guitar seemed to be a singularly blatant attempt to erode his identity. In Gîtar the instrument becomes the focus of Farhad’s struggle to retain his identity.

CREDITS

Cast

Farhad - Farhad Bandesh
Alex - Bruce Hunt-Hughes
Alicia - Jasy Holt
Ervin - Takudzwa Matsatsa
Dana - Fariborz Pakzamir
Michael - Luke Stephens
Manus Staff - Kellie Bailey, Daggi Buie
Refugees - Mark Lemon, Toby George-Bennett, Samuel Brent Bennett, Nelson Clark, Edmund Doumit, Hassan Ahmed, Joao Kanda, Darrol Rankins, Ankit Dargar

Crew

Producer - Helen Turton
Writer/Director - Jack Rintoul
Executive Producers - Stuart Rintoul, Karen Harbutt
1st AD - Sonja Veljanovski
2nd AD - Jenell Quinsee
DOP - Jordan Thomas Law
Production Designer - Tiana Lioulios
Sound Recordist - Boris Borokhov
Gaffer - Darcy De Silva
Stills Photographer - Serana Hunt-Hughes

Catering - Stratford Deli
Location Consultant - Karen Jones
Cairns Casting - Ranjini Rusch

Editor - John Erasmus
Supervising Colourist - CJ Dobson CSI
Junior Colourist - Suemi Akita
Sound Designer and Mixer - Ryan Granger
Audio Editor - Johnsen Cummings
Original Score - Cieavash Arean, Ceridwen Mccooey

TECH SPECS

Length - 11 minutes 22 secconds
Completed - June 10, 2023
Shooting Format - Digital
Aspect Ratio - 16x9
Audio Format - 5.1
Language - English, Kurdish, Farsi
Subtitles - English (forced)

Promotional photos by Serana Hunt-Hughes