Scattered People

Director's Statement

Artistic Statement - John Swatland, Scattered People Film, May 2020 Scattered People film was inspired by the passion, humility and dedication of Robbie James of iconic Australian band GANGgajang, and Scattered People founder and leader, Brian Procopis. Our goal was to create a heartfelt arts-social interest documentary that would convey the depth of love and dedication these people have to marginalised people and social justice. I am a chiropractor and Robbie was my patient. As soon as he told us that he was making an album with asylum seeker singers our interest was piqued. We interviewed Robbie and two Iranian asylum seekers, Saha and Mas, and there was no turning away. My wife Lizzi and I had to tell their stories to a wider audience. The story is told through music. It begins with the music of high-profile artists Michael Franti, Missy Higgins, John Butler, Archie Roach, Robbie James and Dan Sultan, who we have all interviewed. The high quality music of the Scattered People’s three studio albums sit comfortably alongside the more recognised artists as we take a musical journey into its healing powers –such as bringing people together and helping them reclaim their complex identity that has been simplified by the asylum seeker label. There is light and shade in the tone moving through issues of racism and privilege, the uncertainty of the limbo state living on temporary protection visas and the joy of recording beautiful music in a free country. The audience we most want to reach are the persuadables, the swinging voters of Australia and internationally who have been swayed by the relentless government (of both sides) rhetoric regarding asylum seeker issues. This audience sits between staunch advocates (who will support the film and bring their friends, because it is an uplifting story) or those with strong prejudices (who will never change.) This is an important film that subtly, through art, challenges the status quo. We are passionate about this story because we see Australia and the wider world moving away from qualities of respect for humanity and respect for human rights. We want to re-humanise these wonderful, creative, resilient, warm, family loving people who are being oppressed by a situation that, by and large, the Australian public has turned away from and become tired of. We want a new narrative to open minds and hearts and help find new, more compassionate solutions.