Molly and Mobarak

Director Tom Zubrycki / Australia / 2003 / 85mins

In 2001 ninety Afghan asylum-seekers arrived in the NSW town of Young having been recruited to work at the local abattoir. Among them is 23-year-old Mobarak Tahiri.

This observational narrative starts at the point where Mobarak be-friends high-school teacher Molly and her mother Lyn.

Against the backdrop of Molly and Mobarak's burgeoning relationship, a picture of the town emerges through characters such as Tony Hewson, the abattoir manager, and Anne Bell who organises English classes and social activities for the refugees.

The story is played out against the backdrop of a divided community still haunted by the memory of anti-Chinese riots during the 1860's gold rush.

When Molly leaves on a trip to Europe, Mobarak is disconsolate, though Lyn treats him almost like another son.

He suddenly leaves town, but when Molly gets back he returns hoping the romance will be re-kindled.

Meanwhile time is running out for Mobarak. His temporary visa will soon expire and he risks being sent back to Afghanistan and a resurgent Taliban.

Molly and Mobarak had a theatrical season in Australia before opening the Margaret Mead film festival in New York in 2003. Since then, the film’s had an extensive festival life, and been sold to television round the world.