SCREENING: CMSS "Crossing the Line" a documentary film by Anita Barar

In 1947, when India attained freedom from the British Empire, a line was drawn on the map of India on the basis of religious majority creating two countries – India and Pakistan. Millions crossed the line and massive violence and slaughter occurred on both sides. The history of humanity has perhaps not witnessed a darker tragedy, millions died and tens of millions were uprooted from their homes - without a war.“It has been said that ‘There are good people and bad. There is little you can do about the bad, but the tragedy is that so many good people do bad things in the name of religion’. Crossing the Line is the beginning of the recovery, of some of the shattered lives, after one of the worst bloodbaths in history,” Crossing the Line was produced as a result of the passion of Anita Barar, who wanted the stories of her community told, and their experiences shared on the screen. Anita successfully brought together members of the Indian Australian & Pakistani Australian community and conducted a series of storytelling workshops which were digitally documented providing insights into the long-term aftermath of experiences of migration and displacement – the disorienting experience of living in a new country while profound and enormous changes take place in one’s country of origin.