SAVED

Australia, 2009, 90 minutes, Colour.
Claudia Karvan, Andy Rodoreda, Osamah Sami, Sue Jones, Neil Melville, Beverley Dunn.
Directed by Tony Ayres.

Saved was written by Belinda Chayko (Lou) and directed by Tony Ayres (Walking on Water, Home Song Stories).

The basic story is that of parents who have lost a baby and the difficulties in coping with the loss, and their relationship with each other. Claudia Karvan is very strong as the mother. Andy Rodoreda is ultimately very sympathetic as the father.

However, the film is very topical in its presentation of a story about people held in detention centres in Australia. Osamah Sami portrays Amir, a refugee from Iran, imprisoned and tortured there, whose case is pending and the decision given against him. Ultimately, there is intervention from the minister and the young man is released.

Claudia Karvan’s character, Julia, has been invited to do some work and visitation in the detention centre and is advised by Sister Carmel (Beverley Dunn), a sensible nun who represents the many sisters who in recent years have worked for refugees. An attachment begins between the two, when the young man is released he comes to live with the family, becomes part of it. However, he is photographed by the Australian security organisation, arrested, interrogated, and asked to spy for them.

There is also an emotional crisis for Julia as well as the young man, and a decision made that strengthens the marriage – she is saved, the marriage is saved. The young man able to move in Australian society is also saved.

1. The impact of this Australian drama, topical, the personal issues, family, social issues?

2. The director and his migrant background, sympathy to the issues?

3. The city, ordinary, homes, families, social work, detention centres, the courts, the security agencies? An authentic feel?

4. The title, its reference to Amir, to Julia, to Peter, to the marriage?

5. Julia and her husband, the situation of their marriage, the young daughter, the death of the baby after five months? Coping and not coping? The emotional control exhibited by Julia, her wanting the baby to be named, Matilda? The relatives and their concern? Meals, wariness of the talk of pregnancy in Julia’s presence, the cautions? The daughter at home? The tiptoeing around Julia and her sensitivities?

6. The family, the judge, his singing, the next generation of children and in-laws? The variety of problems? The hurt? The issue and the judge? Writing to the MP? His wife and the hard line, hard expressions?

7. Julia going to the centre with her sister-in-law, meeting Sister Carmel, her practical advice? Meeting Ali (**? Amir?) , his turning on her, interrogating her, her leaving? Her decision to return, her fascination, the bond with Amir, the gift of the food, the increasing visits, sharing stories, the information for the case and the appeal? His refusal, her work for the appeal?

8. The reasons for the refusal by the government, Amir in prison in Iran, allegedly spying, informing on others, working for the government? The student and his denunciation of Amir?

9. The intervention, the judge, the member of parliament? His being welcomed out of detention? Getting a job, the welcome from the family, the help?

10. Amir and his character, getting out, his job, Julia having set it up, his wanting to study, at Julia’s home, at ease, with the whole family, the toast, the phone calls, taking Julia to the restaurant?

11. Peter, the possibility of the job in Bendigo, his tensions, his going to Bendigo, the sudden return and finding Julia?

12. The security organisation, taking photos of Amir, information about his phone calls, Julia and Amir in the street, his arrest, the interrogations, the questions, the harshness? Letting him go, wanting him to inform?

13. The true story of Amir, his being in prison, his fears, the lies, the information, concern about his family, telling Julia?

14. Julia and the sexual attraction, resisting Amir at home? His moving away, Sister Carmel warning her not to seek out Amir? Her motivations for the search, finding him? Peter, his fear that Julia would leave? The sexual encounter, her decision to leave, letting Amir go?

15. Amir, standing on his own feet, the impact of Julia and the experience?

16. The pregnant cousin, the birth, family meals, celebration – life going on and the marriage saved?