Asylum stories inspire film

Filming will take part in and around Newport

A film inspired by the experiences of some of the 500 asylum seekers living in Newport is being shot in the city.

It is being made by a group of students from the International Film School Wales.

Called Light In Shadow, the student filmmakers, used the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees who have settled in Newport.

They say that they were inspired to make the film after hearing some of the stories they were told.

The film is expected to completed by March and as well as being entered into a number of festivals is expected to be shown at Newport's Riverfront art centre.

"Having lived and studied in Wales for three years we wanted to make a film that reflects the diverse and vibrant culture that we have found here," said the film's producer, Iranian-born Golkou Parhizgar.

We listened to the stories from a lot of asylum seekers and refugees who live in Newport Golkou Parhizgar, filmmaker

"We decided to focus on a particular minority group and chose asylum seekers.

"Our film is about a young girl who had to leave her country because of the dangerous political situation there, and how she daydreams in order to survive the difficulties of her life."

She said that she and her two colleagues Juan Reina and Alexandros Konstantaras worked with the South East Wales Racial Equality Committee (SEWREC), Amnesty International and Newport and District Refugee Support Group as part of their research.

"We listened to the stories from a lot of asylum seekers and refugees who live in Newport and got very close to a lot of people," said Golkou.

"I think people are pleased we are making this film and a lot of those that we have spoken to are actually appearing in the film as extras.

"We strongly believe that Wales, and in particular Newport, where the story takes place, will benefit from our film, which has a strong message," added Golkou, who does voluntary work interpreting for Iranian asylum seekers.