Iranian refugee Ali Rezvani arrived in Australia as the COVID-19 pandemic began to take hold, and while settling down in a new country poses challenges that may be both, difficult and strange, he turned to a familiar passion.
He's a filmmaker and learnt his craft from Abbas Kiarostami, an iconic Iranian film director, producer, screenwriter, poet and photographer.
Kiarostami, who passed away in 2016, applied a unique signature to his films. He often portrayed child protagonists, created documentary-style narrative films, and often filmed in rural villages.
It was a style that has had a profound impact on Rezvani.
Kiarostami was closely affiliated with the Cannes Film Festival and served as a jury member in 1993, 2002 and 2005. Source: AAP Image/EPA/MARTA PEREZ
“I started to learn filmmaking when I was in high school. I was so passionate about filmmaking. I was so passionate about Kiarostami’s films. So, I decided to enrol in Abbas Kiarostami’s classes,” Rezvani told SBS Persian.
“A few years later, with one of my friends, we managed to produce a documentary film about Abbas Kiarostami called, 'From Alley to Festival de Cannes'.”
With this passion still intact, it made sense that Rezvani would delve back into filmmaking when he arrived in Australia.
He recently directed a cross-cultural and multilingual music video called 'The Melody of Humanity' - shot with the support of the Community Refugee Welcome Centre, which is a partnership between Inner West Council and Settlement Services International (SSI).
Ali Rezvani behind the camera during his youth. Source: Ali Rezvani
The video was launched on December 10 in conjunction with International Human Rights Day.
“The video is a great example of where the skills, motivations and aspirations of diverse human languages come together,” he said.
He said production of the nine-minute video fostered social inclusion and participation while providing an opportunity for refugee artists to present their work during the pandemic.
“The objective and the initial idea behind making such a film was to establish hope in the community; in a situation in which everything was in lockdown and people were inside their houses, and disappointment was on the rise”, Rezvani says.
As a refugee, or a “newcomer” as he prefers to be called, he entered a new country with no friends or family and lots of unknowns.
However, he says he was impressed by multiculturalism in Australia.
Ali Rezvani shooting the 'Melody of Humanity' in Sydney. Source: Ali Rezvani
“Migration itself is a big challenge. Even when you decide to move to a different city in your own country, it can cause enormous challenges.
“I did that when I was in Iran. I had to move from my hometown Isfahan to Tehran. To me, that was like seeking refuge in a new city or environment to continue your life. I have indeed migrated a few times before arriving in Australia."
He says there were many challenges to overcome when he arrived in Australia.
“When I arrived here in Australia, it coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. I came from a busy, crowded Middle East environment to a quiet, so peaceful Australia.
“Shortly after arrival, there was the pandemic and then lockdown. That was a big shock to me, and it took me a while until I could cope with the unfamiliar environment.”
Rezvani was so passionate about filmmaking that he used it to overcome his challenges when he decided to roll his sleeves up.
“I raised my idea with Settlement Services International (SSI). I knew that gathering people from different languages and backgrounds in one project was not easy,” he said.
“With the support I received from SSI and Inner West Council we could do the entire project from A to Z in about four months.”
The video features 22 artists, including newly arrived refugees, Aboriginal community members and local Inner West musicians.
The languages include Persian, Arabic, Assyrian and Tibetan.
The video features a number of iconic Inner West locations including Leichhardt Town Hall, King Street in Newtown, White Creek Valley Park, Camperdown Cemetery, Petersham water tower and the Bay Run in Lilyfield.
Ali Rezvani. Source: Ali Rezvani
“Sydney is a multicultural hub. Indeed, Australia is a multicultural place. This clearly shows to the world how people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, or religions could respectfully and peacefully live together here in Australia without having any problems,” he said.
Community Refugee Welcome Centre Coordinator Moones Mansoubi said: “The Melody of Humanity project has provided a professional development opportunity for everyone involved, including the artists who actively participated in the creative process of production and who demonstrated their remarkable skills and talents.”
