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Unconditional

'Unconditional’ is a documentary film on carers, directed and produced by carer Dalanglin Dkhar in collaboration with four carers from Canberra, Australia.

The film takes the viewer into the homes of these four carers of differing demographics, who took on the commitment of caring for their loved one/s more than a decade ago – a duty that continues for most of them well into retirement.

We hear about the impact of diagnosis day, or as one carer put it, “…when the penny dropped…”. We hear them describe the myriad of emotions that they experience when they realise they are now a carer, and for some what it means on a daily basis. We hear how they deal with burnout, and the invisibility of that role in community – all told with searing honesty, generosity and a desire to inform and raise awareness about who carers are, as they live and care for their loved ones right in the midst of our communities.

"'Unconditional' is more than just a film; it’s a raw and authentic showcase of real unfiltered stories that capture the depth, complexity and emotional resilience inherent in the carer experience." — Lisa Kelly – CEO, Carers ACT.

  • Dalanglin Dkhar
    Director
    The Narrow Path, Christmas Past and Present, Santa’s Forgotten People
  • Dalanglin Dkhar
    Executive Producer
  • Damien Maher
    Executive Producer
  • Seán O'Gorman
    Director of Photography
    Rolling, Mission to Mosul
  • Seán O'Gorman
    Supervising Producer
  • Seán O'Gorman
    Editor
  • Ethan McKenzie
    Lead Camera Operator
  • Ethan McKenzie
    Sound Recordist
  • Kim Gohlich
    Re-recording Mixer
  • Kim Gohlich
    Finishing Editor
  • Deborah Eades
    Key Cast
  • Craig Cormick
    Key Cast
  • Megan Watts
    Key Cast
  • Razi Husain
    Key Cast
  • Elizabeth Rehling
    Camera Assistant
  • Johanna Roh
    Original Music
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Social Issues, Human Rights, Documentary, Health, Disability
  • Runtime:
    50 minutes 38 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 15, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Unconditional Launch
    Canberra, ACT
    Australia
    March 25, 2024
    Australian Premiere
  • Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
    Melbourne, Victoria
    Australia
    August 21, 2024
    Melbourne Premiere
    Official Selection
  • International Social Change Film Festival
    Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles
    United States
    October 25, 2024
    International Premiere
    Honorable Mention
Director Biography - Dalanglin Dkhar

Dalang has been a full time carer and advocate for her autistic non-speaking son since 2012.

Prior to that she worked as a Producer of Wesley Mission Television and Corporate Communications. Recorded at Foxtel Television Studios, Sydney, she produced a weekly tv show 'Rise & Shine', (now called 'Wesley Impact') that screened weekly on Channel 9, the Australian Christian Channel (ACC), UCBTV (UK) and Shine TV (New Zealand). She also produced the 2007 Wesley Mission Christmas Documentary 'Santa’s Forgotten People', for Channel 7. This program won its ratings time slot with a viewership of over 170,000. In 2008, she produced 'Christmas Past and Present' – broadcast on Channel 7 which came second in its ratings time slot with a viewership of over 100,000.

Her Master’s project at UTS, Sydney, 'The Narrow Path', won several awards and was screened internationally. She is currently doing her PhD with Creative Works undertaking research on the lived experience of carers.

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Director Statement

Carers in Australia are an informal workforce who voluntarily care for the welfare of people who are vulnerable.
There are currently more than 2.65 million carers, unpaid and unrecognised in Australia, bearing costs of longterm social isolation, the lowest rate of well-being compared to the average Australian, psychological distress and financial insecurity for being in part time or in no employment while taking care of their loved ones.

Carers are also found to have higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress responses than non-carers. They care for more than 4 million Australians with a disability and 3.8 million Australians aged 65 and over. Recognition, support and awareness of this silent and invisible workforce is required so as to maintain the wellbeing of carers now and the next generation of carers to come. This in turn, will strengthen a social framework that will look after those who commit to look after our most vulnerable.

The film Unconditional is there to advocate for carers and to harness the power of the human face to tell a story and bring awareness, empathy and open conversations around the carer. Having the general community understand the reality of a carer’s experiences, and all its diverse challenges, will help carers to feel supported, recognizsed and valued for the work that they do.

It will also work towards alleviating the deep sense of isolation and deteriorating impact of ‘doing it alone’ felt by carers. By making the research findings accessible, in a meaningful and creative manner, the aim is to foster a new understanding to a wider and diverse audience of the life of the carer. This study will help government and non-government agencies, educational institutions, mental health agencies, clinicians, general practitioners, employment agencies and religious institutions to recognise the needs of the carer and what they require to be better supported in their role of caring.