A documentary on award-winning Kurdish journalist and writer Behrouz Boochani – who spent over six years in detention in Manus – will be screening across the country.  

Behrouz, directed by Simon V Kurian and produced by Anji Kurian, was filmed in secret at the the Australian Immigration Detention Centre on Manus Island.  

Boochani and Kurian worked together for the first time on a previous documentary called Stop the Boats, which went on to win multiple awards.  

The latest feature highlights the humanity of Boochani, and other refugee detainees, beyond their suffering in the camps – using filmic and creative techniques to shed light on invisibilised people and hidden human rights violations.

Ahead of the screening in Adelaide next weekend, The Wire speaks with director Simon V Kurian and Behrouz Boochani about how the films came to be, the broader issue of refugee rights, harsh Australian government policies, and challenging dominant narratives through art. 

Image: Image supplied

Produced By: Anisha Pillarisetty

Featured In Story: Writer and journalist Behrouz Boochani, and Filmmaker, director and producer Simon V Kurian

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 20 April 2023