THE FURNACE is an unlikely hero’s tale, navigating greed and the search for identity in a new land. A young Afghan cameleer joins a mysterious bushman on the run with two stolen Crown gold bars. Pursued by a zealous police sergeant and his troopers, they must race to a secret furnace where they can melt down the gold bars to remove the mark of the Crown.
This fictional drama compellingly illuminates the forgotten real history of Australia’s cameleers who were Muslim, Sikh and Hindu men from India, Afghanistan, Persia and parts of the Middle East. The cameleers provided the main source of exploration and freight transport throughout Australia’s vast desert interior and formed special bonds with local Aboriginal people.
THE FURNACE had its global premiere at the 2020 Venice Film Festival where it garnered strong international reviews. The film stars Ahmed Malek (Clash), David Wenham (Lord of the Rings), Jay Ryan (It Chapter 2), Baykali Ganambarr (The Nightingale), Erik Thomson, Trevor Jamieson, Mahesh Jadu, Osamah Sami, Samson Coulter, Mansoor noor, Kaushik Das, Wakara Gondarra, Steve McCall, Amanda Ma, Gary Young, Sean Choolburra, Dayal Singh, Daniel Motearefi
The Furnace
In cinemas December 10th! Written and directed by Roderick MacKay. Starring Ahmed Malek, David Wenham, Jay Ryan, Baykali Ganambarr, Mahesh Jadu, Osamah Sami and Trevor Jamieson.
. This time from Screen International
– “The strength of MacKay’s film is in its meticulously researched depiction of the mix of cultures and religions.” 
#TheFurnace
Screening at Perth Festival Nov 30 – Dec 6 (ON SALE NOW): http://www.umbrellaentfilms.com.au/movie/the-furnace/?fbclid=IwAR1K1FR6l38ydK5U1kIrCGp5cip1J5UZhBUowhvo3lRwJDkAh6KJoLW5zck