Presented by The Australian Cente for the Moving Image (ACMI) and directed by Canada’s Jody Shapiro, How To Start Your Own Country is a highly entertaining film about the concept of nationhood.
Inspired by Erwin Strauss‘ book of the same title, the documentary raises a number of questions including the inevitible question of ‘What’s to stop you from starting your own micro-nation?’ The film explores the answer through interviews with lawyers, diplomats and the self appointed leaders of micro-nations around the world while also including discussions about the legal and sociological implications of starting one’s own country as well as much more.
The film follows Shapiro’s travels from the Republica of Molossia to the eco-friendly haven of North Dumpling Island with a stop at 18,500 acreage of Hutt River Province – where Prince Leonard and Prince Shirley reside complete with their own national anthem, currency and stamps – how bizarre!
ACMI will also give viewers a chance to partake in two Q&A sessions with Shapiro on Sunday June 12 and Monday June 13.
