By Travis Johnson

Director Damian McLindon (Breathe, The Secret) and co-writer Mira Robinson (Only The Brave, Head On) are in pre-production on Nazaneen, a coming-of-age drama about a 16-year-old Hazara Muslim refugee now living in Melbourne, but are yet to find their lead actress. The pair are looking to cast an authentic Hazara girl, and are working closely with the Hazara community in pursuit of that goal. Additionally, the script itself was developed in consultation with the Hazara people, with refugee and human rights advocate Farkhonda Akbar acting as producer and cultural advisor, to ensure an accurate depiction of their culture and the issues affecting them.

According to the official synopsis, “Nazaneen follows 16-year-old Nina who lives with her younger brother and strict mother in the outer suburbs of Melbourne. Nina is caught between cultures, and now, just as she’s wanting to spread her wings with best friend Alice – hang out, go to parties, and to simply fit in – her mother drops a bomb-shell: an arranged marriage with a second cousin she’s never met. At night, Nina is plagued by nightmares of drowning, while her mother is on the edge of physical collapse from over-work and doesn’t see how much Nina really needs her. When a boy asks Nina to the weekend party, it’s the spark that lights her rebellion. But things go horribly wrong and Nina finds herself catapulted back in time to the hidden trauma of the family’s flight to Australia.”

For more information, plus instructions on how to submit a video audition, head over to the official site.

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