In commemoration of World Refugee Day 2023, art27 are collaborating with Australian filmmakers and artists Being Reel Films, for a screening of their moving and powerful film, Scattered People.

Scattered People

Saha and Mas, two young Iranian musicians flee their homeland and seek asylum in Australia. In immigration detention, they encounter the Scattered People band – a small group of kindred spirits who play music and create songs with refugees and people seeking asylum. Through following their journeys, we observe how music breaks down barriers and gives Saha and Mas purpose, helping to shape their identities and offering hope for the future.

Featuring acclaimed musicians such as Missy Higgins, John Butler, Michael Franti, Archie Roach, Katie Noonan, Dan Sultan, Harry James Angus and Baker Boy, Scattered People explores how music can help unite, heal and restore our compassion for some of the most vulnerable people on our planet.

Scattered People is an Australian documentary revealing the transformational and healing power of music – bringing together people, cultures and countries.

Q&A

Following the film screening, the will be a live Q&A session where audience participants are welcome to join in the discussion. Our host Laura Hassler, founder of Musicians Without Borders and art27, will be joined by the filmmakers Lizzi Swatland and John Swatland, musicians Brian Procopis and Yani Mills, as well as Rebecca Lim, a Migration Practitioner working with refugees and migrants in policy making across Australia.