Then it just became so important.
I needed to check that I represented them appropriately and made sure that I helped them tell their stories.
We attempt to sweep them under the rug and politicians use them as ammunition against each other.
Credit: BEN KING/NETFLIX
They’re real people who didn’t choose to just leave their home.
They were forced to leave; they’re not here for a holiday.
This was their last resort.
Thankfully, with Netflix picking it up, it’s getting the global recognition that it deserves.
It’s incredible that a lot of the background cast had actually been refugees in camps like this.
All this drama is pulled from real life.
I did feel a bit of pressure to just get it right.
How familiar with the refugee detention situation were you before you signed on?
Was it something you had to research before shooting?
So I was visiting them and getting their story to be able to put it on the stage.
Also, I was born in Lebanon; I’m half Lebanese, half Syrian.
You’re not allowed to leave that room.
We’re touching on this because white people are complaining about two weeks in a hotel.
What kind of life are we living here?
It was heartbreaking to watch and totally just stays with you afterward.
How was that to shoot and prepare for?
She was like, “How do you want to approach this?
Because I won’t understand what you’re saying when we’re filming.”
Everyone just left me alone between takes.
Were you just so impressed by her?
Yeah, totally and she’s so smart.
She turned 16 while we were shooting and I was just the most embarrassing fake dad.
She has a big heart but is also kind of sassy.
We’ve kind of known each other through the theater scene in Sydney.
What an amazing human being and talented and a great producer.
Yeah, I think it’s about starting the right kind of conversation.
Statelessis available to stream on Netflix now.
