A Beautiful Life

Brisbane 1992: A boy, Amir, sees his parents on the news, under arrest for protesting at the Iranian Embassy in Canberra against atrocities in their homeland. Amir forces Hamid and Jhila to tell their story, believing that a hostile Australian pubic will understand their 'terrorist' actions which shows the bigger picture of their past. Revitalising memories of his wrongful imprisonment and torture in a Tehran jail, Hamid confronts an oppressive secret which has blighted his beautiful new life in Australia. As his lengthy trial continues, it is clear he has exchanged one nightmare world for another. Yet even in the face of another jail term, Hamid praises the Australian justice system...This play explores the often unforgettable histories of refugees. It is a haunting account of prejudice, injustice and brutality, tempered by a celebration of human kindness and indomitable hope. (2 acts: 6 men, 2 women)