The Staging Post

The Staging Post is a poignant 2017 documentary that centers around the theme of hope, resilience, and the power of community in the midst of desperation and adversity. The film features Afghan Hazara refugees, including Muzafar Ali, who flee their country due to the terror of the Taliban and other extremities, journeying to Jakarta, Indonesia. They are in search of safety, and their ultimate goal is to find a new home in Australia or some other more welcoming land.

The documentary is an inspiring look at how unity and community can rise even in the most challenging and desperate circumstances. It is further enhanced by the authentic storytelling of Muzafar Ali, a filmmaker, refugee, and central character of the film, who documents his and other refugees’ experience in Indonesia.

The story launches when the Australian government declares the 'stop the boats' policy. This policy imposes that no refugee who arrives illegally by boat will be allowed to settle in Australia, leaving the refugees stranded in Indonesia where they are forbidden from working, settling, or going to school.

Under the "limbo" scenario, Khadim Dai, a 17-year-old Afghan Hazara refugee, forms a bond with Muzafar Ali. Together, they decide to change the narrative. They create a school and start filming their experiences to tell the world about their situation. This operational school is named as Cisarua Refugee Learning Centre (CRLC), which benefits not just them but also over a hundred refugee children who have nowhere to go and little to occupy their minds. The CRLC becomes a beacon of hope for those entrapped in a state of limbo for many years.

The Staging Post is an exploration of courage, resilience, and the restless human spirit that refuses to give in to defeat. Despite their circumstances, these individuals rise to the occasion, changing the narrative from one of abandonment and despair to one of hope and renewed faith.

Throughout the course of the film, there is a strong focus on community, the power of humanity, and the indomitable spirit to survive. A series of serendipitous events and encounters lead to the creation of an unprecedented and thriving community. It demonstrates resilience by its very existence and represents an alternate model of refugee assistance and resettlement.

The film succeeds in giving a human face to the international refugee crisis. Beyond the dry news reports and political rhetoric, there is a world of individuals who, just like everyone else, are seeking safety, security, and a better future for their children. Interweaving the stories of refugees with personal interviews, The Staging Post successfully highlights the spirit of resilience, humanity and the powerful impact of community, thus capturing the human dimension of the refugee crisis.

The Staging Post implicitly critiques the Australian government's 'stop the boats' policy and the global treatment of refugees, particularly in Western nations. It questions the current model of refugee aid and resettlement, emphasizing the power of education, community, and self-determination. The film constantly underlines the fact that refugees are not burdens or threats, but human beings wanting to lead dignified lives.

The Staging Post is a documentary of courage and resilience, revealing untold stories of refugees who transform their own lives in incredible circumstances. It's an eye-opener for audiences worldwide, portraying the plight, resilience, and hope of refugees who refuse to be helpless victims but instead become shining examples of human spirit and resilience.

Directed by Jolyon Hoff and co-directed by Khadim Dai, this movie is a powerful narrative of unity, hope, and resilience against all odds. The heartwarming documentary is not only advocating for refugees but also serves as a call to action for viewers to reflect on the subject and understand the true face of the people behind the term 'refugee'.

The Staging Post is not just a movie; it is a real-life story of survival, dreams, and the power of community.