The powerful anthology film My Melbourne , featuring stories by four great directors, Onir, Rima Das, Kabir Khan, and Imtiaz Ali, is the Opening Gala film at the prestigious UK Asian Film Festival. The film explores identity, belonging, and resilience through four true stories of underrepresented voices in Australia.
To set the scene, here is the trailer
Imtiaz Ali is the creative director of JULES, which Arif Ali directed along with Tammy Yang. The story delves into the tale of Sakshi and Jules, who form an unlikely bond and navigate their connection despite their differences. Sakshi is a 23-year-old newly married girl who has recently moved to Melbourne. She has no friends, a controlling husband, a passion for food blogging, and a love for vanilla slices. Jules is a 52-year-old homeless woman with a critical tongue, a survivor’s spirit, and a flair for crossword puzzles and poetry. While no two people are more different, no two women are more displaced; they form an unlikely connection as they navigate their individual struggles.
In a fascinating conversation, Imtiaz Ali talked with Stacey about My Melbourne, including what he feels is the soul and core of this outstanding film. He also delved deeper into the meaning of the story Jules wants to tell and reveals what he hopes audiences will take away with them, plus so much more.
If you had to describe My Melbourne, what would you say?
It’s four stories of sensitivity based on four different characters that live simultaneously in Melbourne, Australia, but have nothing to do with each other. Each one is about inclusion in some way. I feel that the overall theme of My Melbourne is inclusivity.
I believe that all the stories are based on real-life stories. I think your story, Jules, was based on a homeless woman who used to live downstairs from the producer’s office. Can you give me some insight into what drew you to tell this story?
Yes, that is right. The producer’s name is Mitu Bhowmick. She lives and works in Melbourne (Australia). She told me about Jules. She was talking about Melbourne and was giving an example of how varied it is and the kinds of things that might happen in Melbourne and she talked about Jules. I was immediately fascinated by it. I asked why this could not be the story that we make. And she said, ‘Yes, why not?” I said, ‘You need to be the one to steer it.’ It turned out to be the story that we actually produced.
It’s very fascinating because it’s about homelessness. Homelessness is both mental and physical. It is possible for somebody to be a homeless person really and feel at home and somebody to have a home and yet feel as though she doesn’t belong. That’s what the story is all about.
Tell us about casting Arushi Sharma to play the lead role.
I had worked with Arushi before in Love Aaj Kal 2. I knew that she’s a sensitive actor. So, I was looking forward to working with her again. When this movie came about, we were testing others as well, but she came in one day and offered to test for it, to audition for it. When she did that, we realized that actually the kind of person we were looking for is exactly Arushi Sharma.
And there is a very fascinating actor whose name you should know, I’m forgetting right now, but she plays Jules.
Kat Stewart, I believe, the Australian actor.
Kat Stewart. Yes. She plays Jules very, very nicely.
As you watched the film come together, what were you thinking as you watched this story unfold?
So, this is not a film that I have directed. I have only creatively directed it. It has been directed by Arif Ali.
Right, yes.
He’s directed it, but I did get to meet the actors and I was at the shoot all the time, but I did not interfere with direction because I feel they can only be one captain. (Smiles)
How do you feel now that the story is about to come out into the world?
This particular story, I feel, had a lot of resonance because the question of women having control over finance, just household finance, money, individually, is, I think, a very relevant issue. This story touches upon it. Women have been especially drawn to this film. You know, the exercise of power through money. That’s quite a common phenomenon.
People were drawn to the film, I must say, as they were to the other three films. They are all very, very fascinating. And all put together, I think it becomes an interesting and a very different watch for audiences in India and all over the world.
So it seems like all these stories have a deeper layer but also a hopeful arc running through the film. Would you say that to be true?
Yes, of course, they’re very optimistic. All of the films are very optimistic. They imbibe hope against odds, I must say. All of them are in some sort of a way are about the dark horse that wins, you know, or about the underdog that actually comes out on top.
What does it mean for you for the film to be the opening film at the UK Asian Film Festival?
I feel thrilled about it because I feel that the kind of audience that the UK Asian Film Festival will reach with this film is the kind of audience we are trying to take the film to.
You know, a film like My Melbourne needs the backing, or it needs to feature in film fests that are popular. The UK festival is a prolific festival which is old and reputed, and people actually look forward to it every year. So I’m very glad that it is featuring and going to be screened here.
What do you hope audiences will take away from your Jules film and then from the whole anthology itself?
Well, I hope what they take is inclusivity, as I said – the fact that there are people that are different from oneself, yet they need to have as much dignity and as much place in this world, or place in the sun, as anybody else. I feel that for all of us as well, for the people that made the film, it was actually broadening our horizons about different kinds of people – people that are different from us, in terms of gender, in terms of gender definitions, in terms of abilities, ethnicities. There are so many differences. Actually, the kind of differences among people in this world are almost as many as there are people in this world. Everybody is different. But the happiness of being together with different people surpasses the happiness of being with people just like yourself. It is more rewarding. I hope that’s what the audience takes from this film.
100%. What an amazing experience to go through, too, you know, to have that experience of bringing that story to life and experiencing it yourself.
They are telling me to wrap it up, so I have one last question. You do have a series coming up, O Saathi Re. Can you give me any little hints or a sneak peek?
I can give you that, but then I’ll probably be behind bars. (Smiles) Legally, I’m not really allowed to talk about it to the media yet, but very soon.
I thought that might be true. I’m looking forward to that. And I’m looking forward to seeing My Melbourne at the UK Asian Film Festival. Thank you so much for talking with me.
Thank you, best wishes.
My Melbourne has its European Premiere on May 1st at the UK Asian Film Festival. The festival runs from May 1st through the 11th, and this year’s “Longing and Belonging” theme will celebrate films that explore one of the most profound human experiences—the search for connection, identity, and purpose. People grapple with feelings of longing in every corner of the world—the ache for love, the pull of home, the need for acceptance, and the pursuit of meaning. To find out more, visit the UKAFF Website.
