Island of the Hungry Ghosts / Film School Radio interview with Director Gabrielle Brady

ISLAND OF THE HUNGRY GHOSTS takes place off the coast of Indonesia, in the Australian territory of Christmas Island, inhabited by migratory crabs traveling in their millions from the jungle towards the ocean, in a movement that has been provoked by the full moon for hundreds of thousands of years. Poh Lin Lee is a “trauma therapist” who lives with her family in this seemingly idyllic paradise. Every day, she talks with the asylum seekers held indefinitely in a high-security detention centre hidden in the island’s core, attempting to support them in a situation that is as unbearable as its outcome is uncertain. As Poh Lin and her family explore the island’s beautiful yet threatening landscape, the local islanders carry out their “hungry ghost” rituals for the spirits of those who died on the island without a burial. They make offerings to appease the lost souls who are said to be wandering the jungles at night looking for home. ISLAND OF THE HUNGRY GHOSTS is a hybrid documentary that moves between the natural migration and the chaotic and tragic migration of the humans, which is in constant metamorphoses by the unseen decision-making structures. Director Gabrielle Brady joins us to talk about her beautiful and quietly powerful tale of desperate people trapped in a place of pervasive uncertainty and a woman trying to help them cope. For news, screenings and updates go to: christmasislandfilm.com ** 2020 Spirit Award nominee for Best Documentary ** Tribeca Film Festival - Award for best documentary film Mumbai International Film Festival - Grand Jury Prize for best film IDFA - Human rights award Adelaide international Film Festival - Winner best documentary film Social Media facebook.com/filmchristmasisland twitter.com/hashtag/islandofthehungryghosts instagram.com/islandofthehungryghosts #islandofthehungryghosts facebook.com/filmindependent twitter.com/filmindependent instagram.com/filmindependent #spiritawards