BACKSTORY: 

When Athena was ten years old, her family decided to make the dangerous journey from Iran to Australia for a better life, and so her extraordinarily talented mother could persue a career as an Opera singer. Tragically, Athena bared witness to a catastrophic boat incident that claimed the lives of over 150 refugees, including her mother and younger sister. Reunited with her father after three days at sea, she was just one of two children to survive. Athena was then held in a refugee camp, partially imprisoned, for a further five years with her father. Coming to Australian in 2015, she had just seven months to learn English, and eventually resumed her education in Brisbane. It was here that she was yet again ill-fated, meeting her abusive ex-fiance who would only prolonge her emotional and physical torment for the next three years. With the belief that one's voice is the key to healing and freedom, Athena continues to be courageously open about her past, hoping her story may inspire women and mirgants who have suffered similarly traumatic experiences. See articles written about Athena and her father's journey below.

SYNOPSIS: 

According to studies which observe the relationship between trauma and the human nervous system, singing is proving to be one of the fastest ways to relieve stress, reform negative emotional and cognitive pathways and build enduring self-esteem. As a vocal coach and singer with an interest in the way my body processes emotion, I'm fascinated by the findings of best-selling books such as 'Trauma and The Voice' by E.J Koriath and 'The Woman's Voice' by Patsy Rodenburg. 

As an independent emerging artist, I also find myself gasping for air in a sea of restrictions - a "repression of expression" that raises questions about how damaging it can really be to put our voices in a box; not just for the singer, but for the listener who has been robbed of true connection through the elimination of expressive choices that someone once deemed imperfect. Having spent the last five years observing the incredible results of singing therapy for victims of aphasia through the documentary series 'And So They Sing', I can see how it can unlock an opportunity for healing, both practically and emotionally, that still appears to be somewhat taboo. I wouldn't have had the courage to explore it until recently, when I met an incredibly brave young woman who changed my life in an instant...

When you first meet Athena - this stylish, 'influencer prototype' who eagerly anticipates her debut on Australia's Got Talent, it would be easy to mistake her for someone more prone to glamour. The truth is, you'll never meet anyone who has sacrificed more or worked harder to overcome the hand she was dealt for the opportunity to simply use her voice. Each morning, the first thing Athena does is express gratitude for everything she has, reassure herself that she is worthy, and visualise herself basking in the success of a singing career. Why? After losing her mother and sister and then enduring domestic violence at such a young age, Athena was fighting for the will to live. She had no support, no money, no security, and only a couple of years of education to her name. All she had to give her strength was her voice, which she believes is a blessing from her mother. After learning about her story during an industry networking night, I was drawn to help her in any way I could, from coaching and showing her the ropes of the industry to preparing her for performance - whatever she might ask. During the making of her first music video, Haunted By Your Kiss, we stumbled upon an important question, who is she as an artist?  As I began exploring the creation of this commercial image and what it all means, this begged another important question: amidst all the moulding and branding of artists who 'make it', are we seeing what they really want us to see? 

Together, we embark on a mission to explore the taboo topic of the 'artist image' and the manipulation of the female voice in determining success. From one perspective, how the standards and beliefs we have about our voices are restricting our freedom in the face of autotune and high-quality mixing. From another, how our personal brand and sense of self-worth is being exploited by the mainstream industry and social media. We'll talk to some of Australia's biggest names in pop as well as local singers to gain insight into where our strengths lie, and how to gain the confidence to let them shine through. We explore the healing effects of singing through vocal routines with top-tier coaches, and sit down with psychologists and PHD researchers to learn how to rebuild a sense of safety and trust within our bodies.

With help from mentors and fellow enthusiasts, Athena gains confidence and business acumen as she forges a meaningful new career path as an artist and an activist, touching the lives of vulnerable communities and young women with her music, her message, and new insights into the power of the voice.

In the excitement of her new goals, Athena continues to face down the ghosts of her past. She visits her old highschool where she was once bullied and abused to address the community of teenage refugees who populate the music rooms and theatres, as she once did. She finds solace in resuming a podcast she gave up on years ago, where she is re-acquainted with the benefits of sharing relatable lessons of hardship and healing with her loyal listeners. While she may be revelling in her new-found Australian freedom, Athena still deals with the harsh reality of ongoing political conflicts within her broader family structure. Willing to risk further heartbreak, she wishes to return to Indonesia, where we accompany her to the site of the capsizing tragedy that claimed her sister's life so she can visit her grave. 

In honour of her mother's memory, Athena is now determined to use her voice not only to heal her wounds, but to heal and inspire her audience and community. This documentary will not only bring light to the healing powers of our voices, but in doing so, will spread a message of hope from the perspective of a young woman who never gave up in the face of doubt. We all have something to learn from Athena. Though it may feel small and insignificant, your voice has the power to heal far beyond yourself. It could be the most powerful healing tool we have.

"My mother always said, “Don’t let anyone silence your voice, Athena. You are meant to be heard.” Her spirit is in the music, pushing me to go beyond what I thought was possible. Every time I open my mouth to sing, I’m not just expressing myself, I’m continuing her legacy. I’m not just here to sing, I’m here to inspire change. To show the world that no matter where we come from, no matter the obstacles in our way, we have the power to create our own path. 

My mother’s dream of singing is alive in me, and through my music, I carry her spirit, her voice, and her strength forward. I am living proof that the things we lose don’t have to define us. What defines us is what we choose to do with what we have left, and I’m choosing to make it count." 

~ Athena Hardani ~

See below testimonials for the film (left to right): Declan Nicholls (Voice Coach) and Athena Hardani (subject).