Persia’s Pantry follows the incredible life journey of Arad Niksefat, a man forced to flee from his own country, only to face a much harsher and demoralising life as an asylum seeker in Australia.

Arad Niksefat’s life is a step short of unbelievable. At the age of 35 he was forced to flee his native country, Iran, where he was a decorated
and well-respected pathologist, working alongside the government agency SEPAH.

Unfortunately, his struggles were only just the beginning as Arad sought Asylum in Australia. Leaving Indonesia at night, he travelled by
boat with 58 other asylum seekers, towards Christmas Island.

After 16 months in detention centres, Arad was released in 2014 to live in Melbourne, but things did not go easy for him. Under a strict 7pm curfew, and a Bridging Visa (BVE), Arad was left to fend for himself. No one told him how to interact with society. He wasn’t allowed to work. Did not know how to make money. Had no idea about local and Australian laws, and every 2 weeks he was to meet with a case manager.

“We were treated like animals.”

In 2016 Arad, moved to Perth and started his own catering company, Persia’s Pantry. Due to his current Safe Haven Enterprise Visa, (SHEV)
he needs to live and work in predominately regional areas of Perth, but Arad travels his business throughout Perth, where he has loyal
customers whom love his products and services.

Arad’s recipes are derived from recipes his Mother passed onto him, however he has put his own spin, making them, “healthy food”.

“I am standing on my own two feet.”

Camera Operators | Corey Battersby, Taye Wickland, Jack Brown and Mack Taylor

Animation | Red Bird Creative with Aaron Welch, Manuel Scussel, Adam Chin, Alpana Teena Singh
and Lachlan Seddon

Photography | Daniel Njegich & Jake Blackburn

Special Thanks
Paul Nicholas
Amnesty International
RTRFM
Red Bird Creative
Lighthouse Creative

Website by Lighthouse Creative
persiaspantry.com.au

Produced and developed with the assistance of City of Vincent and Revelation Perth International Film Festival.