Through the eyes and hearts of two Iranian musicians, Scattered People is a story about the healing power of music, bringing together people, cultures and countries while exploring Australians' attitudes towards people seeking asylum. Scattered People is about the power of music to create change and restore hope.

THE STORY

Mas has to leave Iran in 3 days as he was discovered playing western music and singing about the unfairness of his government.

Saha discovers western music secretly through her father at a young age and realises this is her passion but she is not allowed to sing or play music in Iran because she is a woman.

They don’t know each other yet but they take their separate perilous journeys across the seas to Australia where they end up in detention.

We follow their stories of life in detention and then community centres to professional recording studios where music gives voice to the voiceless. They meet and join Scattered People band and we discover how music breaks down barriers, gives them purpose, shapes their identities and builds an inclusive community culture.

Saha and Mas are welcomed into a new life in a new country through the healing power of music yet at the same time are still living in a state of limbo on temporary protection visas.

We also meet a range of social academics and professors of music therapy who describe the physiological and emotional impacts as well as cultural benefits of music.  Historian (Klaus Neumann), Human Rights Lawyer (Benedict Coyne) and sociologist (Hugh Mackay) explore the broad socio-political context highlighting the impact that our harsh response toward people seeking asylum is having on our national ethos and character.

ABOUT THE SCATTERED PEOPLE BAND

The Scattered People are a band of kindred spirit musicians in Brisbane, Australia who play, write and record the music and stories of asylum seekers they encounter in detention and community centres, producing high quality albums.  We follow their relationships, rehearsals and public performances and hear their heartfelt stories of courage and character.  

SWEET FREEDOM Ltd.- A Social Justice Record Label

Our mission is to amplify the voices of the unheard through creative projects and share resources about ethical and effective engagement with community through scholarly research.

Sweet Freedom distributes creative materials produced as part of community music projects.

Sweet Freedom Inc. is a Not For Profit Incorporated organisation and all funds collected from sales of music products or donations are reinvested in ongoing and new projects.

Sweet Freedom is based in Australia but reaches out to the world. 

SWEET FREEDOM : MUSIC THAT LIBERATES

QUEENS UNIVERSITY, BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

Scattered People and Scattered People Film are part of a large research project by Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Led by Professor of Anthropology, Fiona Magowan, the Scattered People band and our film are part of a five country, four year project on The Role of Music and the Arts in Peace Building.

The project is fully funded and will culminate in art installations in Belfast and Brazil.

MUSICIANS WITHOUT BORDERS - War Divides, Music Connects

Musicians without Borders uses the power of music to bridge divides, connect communities, and heal the wounds of war.

Our long-term commitment allows our participants the time to develop skills and talents, process grief and loss, and build bridges of reconciliation in societies divided by recent or ongoing conflict. Our professional trainers are specialized in running community music projects with people dealing with trauma, fear and isolation as a result of war and conflict.

We work closely with local musicians and organizations to build sustainable projects in response to local needs. From successful projects we develop models, methodologies and trainings to adapt for other regions.

Musicians without Borders is building a local network of musicians and music lovers who support our work with their time, energy, expertise and financial donations.