And it is one that most of us cannot truly imagine or understand.

During Refugee Week, an Australian documentary screened in Mittagong will provide some idea of what the life of a refugee is really like.

Constance on the Edge follows Constance, mother of six, as she confronts her painful past in war torn Sudan, and risks everything in Australia so her family can thrive.

Filmed over 10 years in Wagga Wagga, the documentary is an unflinchingly honest portrayal of one refugee family’s resettlement story in regional Australia. 

“In Africa I was fighting for survival; in the refugee camp I was fighting for human rights; and here in Australia, I’m fighting for belonging,” Constance said.

The film will feature in a special Refugee Week screening at Mittagong RSL on June 23.

Constance on the Edge premiered to a sold out audience at the Sydney Film Festival in June 2016 where it was voted second favorite documentary by the audience.

In November 2016 it launched the Refugee Council of Australia’s first ever Refugee Film Festival in Melbourne.

In March the film was a finalist in the Australian Migration and Settlement Awards, in the category of excellence in journalism.

Director Belinda Mason said it was a film for everyone. 

“People have said the film has really put a human face on the refugee experience and raised their awareness of the situation of refugees,” she said.

“Constance on the Edge gives audiences a way into the refugee experience –both the positives and negatives – and let’s people get beyond news and media reports that so often dehumanise refugees.”

Rural Australians for Refugees Southern Highlands (RARsh) together with Amnesty International will host the screening as part of their Refugee Week 2017 activities.

Refugee Week, will be celebrated from June 18-24. 

Ms Mason and Highlands refugee advocate and painter, Ben Quilty, will participate in a panel discussion and answer questions from the audience following the screening.

The Refugee Council of Australia is the national coordinator of Refugee Week.

Refugee Council of Australia spokesman Tim O’Connor, said the week was a chance for people to better understand refugees and what they bring to Australia.

“Refugee Week is an opportunity to reflect on the courage and contribution of people who have lived the refugee experience,” he said. 

“Constance on the Edge is a testament to the courage required to flee persecution and set up a life in a new land, and the contribution more than 875,000 refugees have made to Australia.”

RARsh and Amnesty International will also be holding a stall in Corbett Plaza on Friday, June 16 from 10am-4pm.

The film will be screened at 7pm.

Visit https://www.trybooking.com/285624 to buy tickets.

For more information about the screening contact Sarah Lewis on 0414 282 362.

Visit http://www.refugeeweek.org.au to find out more about Refugee Week and events being held.