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Deep Dive: The Oasis (2008)

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The Oasis
The Oasis is a 2008 Australian documentary that focuses on the lives of homeless youth at the Salvos Oasis youth refuge in Sydney. Directed by Ian Darling and Sascha Ettinger Epstein, the film follows Captain Paul Moulds and Robbin Moulds as they work with 55 young people facing various challenges, including drug abuse and violent behavior. The documentary was filmed over two years, providing an intimate look at the daily lives of both the youth and the Salvation Army staff who support them. The film gained national attention during Youth Week 2008, coinciding with the release of the National Youth Commission's report on youth homelessness. This report influenced government policies and kept youth homelessness on the national agenda. The Oasis demonstrates the potential of documentary filmmaking to drive social change, as it was part of a broader initiative that included an education and outreach campaign funded by The Caledonia Foundation.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Captain Paul and Robbin Moulds at The Oasis refuge.
  • •See the impact of the National Youth Commission's report.
  • •Find out how documentary film can drive social change.

Did You Know

•The Oasis accommodates 55 homeless youths each night.
•The National Youth Commission held 21 days of hearings across Australia in 2007.
•The documentary won Best Direction and Best Editing at the AFI Awards in 2008.
•The Oasis Initiative was listed as one of the Top 50 Philanthropic Gifts of All Time in 2013.

Perfect For

Youth homelessness awarenessSocial justice advocatesDocumentary film enthusiasts