Honour Australia, India

Honour

Australia, India | Hindi, English | Drama Thriller

Budget USD 3,700,000 Financing in place USD 1,200,000 Production Company Films and Casting TEMPLE filmsandcastingtemple.com Present at Film Bazaar Anupam Sharma Cathy Rodda Looking for Co-Producers Financiers Sales/Sales Agents

Synopsis

New bride Durga comes to Australia with a million dreams like many other non-resident Indian wives. However, as soon as she arrives, her fantasy begins to shatter, and she quickly finds out that her dreams have no place in her husband’s plans. Plans are derailed as Durga fights to save her Australian dream from turning into a nightmare of dowry and domestic abuse. Trapped in a web of deceit, greed, visa regulations, and pressures to protect the honour of her family, herself and the Indian community in Australia. Durga decides to run away when she gets pregnant and is expected to abort. While on the run, Durga also discovers that she is one of the many in a growing business model, where young Indian men marry for dowry to pay off student loans and start a business without care for the person they are marrying or the institution of marriage. Based on true events, this edge of the seat thriller follows Durga on her run to save her and her unborn child. She knows what she is running away from, but has no clue where she is running to. India is out of the question and Australia is too risky.

When I first met a survivor of domestic and dowry abuse in Melbourne and heard her heartwrenching story, I knew I had to make a film, scripted or unscripted. As I met other survivors, perpetrators, and activists, I was sure that there is an engaging and socially relevant scripted film in there. Truth, after all, is always stranger than fiction. I could see the rich visual spectrum from the colours of the Indian wedding and Indian diaspora in Australia, to the grey world of hopelessness of a new migrant - exploited and helpless. A thriller on a real and current social issue, with access to rare insights, is a gift for any director. A high-end Indian cast complimented with a leading Australian cast will take the film to the next level in terms of audience appeal and support not only one woman’s but many survivors’ inspiring journey.

Director(s)’ Biography

Anupam Sharma is a filmmaker with a bachelor’s and master’s in Films & Theatre from UNSW, specialising in directing with a thesis on Indian cinema. Through his company TEMPLE, he is largely acknowledged with pioneering Australian film relations with India.(http://www.filmsandcastingtemple.com/)

Also, the Chair of Australia India Film Council, he has been named one of fifty most influential film professionals in the Australian film industry. His featuredocumentary, Bollywood Downunder is currently in post-production of with several other features in development and production with development investment from Screen Australia, Screen NSW and private investment.

Producer(s)’ Biography

Cathy Rodda has worked as a writer/producer in advertising, marketing and video in Australia and the UK. She made her mark, starting with the multiaward winning Unfinished Sky, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was the 4th highest grossing Australian film of 2008.

She is highly experienced in international co-productions, including Finnish/ German/Australian cult sci-fi hit Iron Sky (Berlinale 2012 premiere, sold worldwide), and Danish/German/Australian action comedy Ved Verdens Ende. Her recent films include zombie western Bullets for the Dead and Mark Hartley/Tony Ginnane’s thriller Girl at the Window.

Anupam Sharma Director & Producer

(+61) 411837053 filmsandcastingtemple@ usa.net

Cathy Rodda Producer