Balibo is a 2009 Australian war film that follows the story of the Balibo Five, a group of journalists who were captured and killed while reporting on activities just prior to the Indonesian invasion of East Timor of 1975. The film is loosely based on the 2001 book Cover-Up by Jill Jolliffe, an Australian journalist who met the men before they were killed.
| Balibo | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical film poster | |
| Directed by | Robert Connolly |
| Screenplay by | Robert Connolly David Williamson |
| Based on | Cover-Up by Jill Jolliffe |
| Produced by | Anthony LaPaglia Dominic Purcell |
| Starring | Anthony LaPaglia Oscar Isaac Damon Gameau Gyton Grantley Nathan Phillips Mark Winter Thomas Wright Bea Viegas |
| Cinematography | Tristan Milani |
| Edited by | Nick Meyers |
| Music by | Lisa Gerrard & Marcello De Francisci |
| Distributed by | Transmission Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 111 minutes |
| Countries | Australia East Timor |
| Languages | English Tetum |
| Budget | AU$4,500,000 |
The film follows dishevelled journalist Roger East, played by Anthony LaPaglia, who travels to East Timor in 1975 to investigate the deaths of the Balibo Five during the buildup to the Indonesian invasion of East Timor.[1] Oscar Isaac plays the young José Ramos-Horta, who would later receive the Nobel Peace Prize and become the second President of East Timor,[2] who joins East in the movie.
Filming began on 30 June 2008, in Dili, East Timor,[3] and the film was released the following year. It was produced by Arenafilm in Australia with Robert Connolly as director, David Williamson as screenwriter, and Professor Clinton Fernandes as historical consultant.[4][5] LaPaglia, also an Executive Producer, named East as "probably the best role I've ever had".[6]
Plot
editThe film starts in the present day, when an Australian journalist interviews a woman named Juliana, who as a young girl witnessed Roger East's capture and execution by the Indonesian invasion force.
We see events from Roger East's point of view, as he investigates the imminent Indonesian invasion of East Timor, and the fate of the Balibo Five, five Australian journalists who went missing prior to the indonesian invasion.
Then the point of view changes to the Balibo Five's actions in the town, from their departure in Australia, to their arrival in East Timor and being embedded in a Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (abbreviated as FRETILIN in Portuguese) unit near the border.
Then the story interchanges between Roger East's attempted investigation upon the fate of the Five, and the Five's events in the area, and some of Juliana's story. Roger was with Jose Ramos-Horta along the way, evading Indonesian patrols and witnessing villages with massacred inhabitants.
The Balibo Five painted the Australian flag upon a building to ensure their safety, and declined requests of their FRETILIN bodyguards to join them in retreat. The Five then covers the invasion, until Indonesian soldiers chase and cornered them. One of the cameramen tried to tell the soldiers to spare them, but was shot by the officer Yunus Yosfiah. Then, the soldiers breached the building, killing the other journalists
Then Roger's point of view ends when the Indonesians invade Dili with paratroopers and ground troops. He was captured with East Timorese men and Juliana, as a child, watches as the men are executed by the Indonesians, women were segregated and raped, and Roger was executed by the Indonesian soldiers.
The film ends with the inscription that the murderers of the Balibo Five and Roger East were not brought to justice. Then, scenes from Horta's rallies are shown, and finally, free East Timorese enjoying the beach.
Cast
edit- Anthony LaPaglia as Roger East
- Oscar Isaac as José Ramos-Horta
- Damon Gameau as Greg Shackleton
- Gyton Grantley as Gary Cunningham
- Nathan Phillips as Malcolm Rennie
- Mark Winter as Tony Stewart
- Thomas Wright as Brian Peters
- Michael Stone as Interviewer
- Bea Viegas as Juliana
- Anamaria Barreto as Younger Juliana
Production
editBalibo was the first feature film to be made in East Timor. Shooting in Dili began on 31 July 2008, with United Nations police closing off roads, to allow the scenes to be filmed.[7] 16mm-to-35mm visuals were shot at the actual locations where the events took place give a documentary-style texture.[8]
The film's version of events was validated by an Australian coroner in 2007. After a fresh review of the evidence, the coroner ruled that the journalists were executed as they tried to surrender to Indonesian forces. The filmmakers hope that Balibo will spur the Australian government into action. Almost 18 months on, it has not responded to the coroner's findings – a reticence which may stem from its fear of upsetting diplomatic relations with Jakarta.[9] Robert Connolly said that he did not set out to provoke Jakarta but wanted to examine a seminal moment in Indonesia's 24-year occupation of East Timor, when an estimated 183,000 people died: "I think it had to be graphic because otherwise you dangerously dilute what happened."[10]
Release
editBalibo received its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival on 24 July 2009 at Melbourne's Hamer Hall.[9]
It screened at the Antipodean Film Festival in Saint Tropez, France, in October 2010.[11]
Reception
editThe then President of East Timor, José Ramos-Horta, was in attendance at the world premiere, where there was an address alleging that the Balibo Five were tortured and killed by Indonesian forces. On changes over recent years in Indonesia Ramos-Horta said "It is better. Indonesian democracy today is one of the most inspiring in the south-east Asia region".[9] Also in attendance were the families of the Balibo Five. Relatives of Tony Stewart held aloft a banner bearing his name which had been embroidered by East Timorese women.[12] Maureen Tolfree, sister of Brian Peters, said she hoped many Australians would see the film and that she thought "...it will bring to the Australian public what's gone on," she said.[13] Rotten Tomatoes gives a score of 100% based on 12 reviews, 80% of audiences like the film.[14]
Variety's Richard Kuipers dubbed the film "a tense, character-driven thriller with political comment on the side, allowing viewers with little or no prior knowledge of the subject matter to engage instinctively with the Balibo Five," filmed where it happened and "packing a huge emotional punch". Kuipers continues: "LaPaglia is particularly good as the weary scribe who slowly rediscovers his old fire, and Isaac sparks off him impressively as the younger man whose ability to read people is as sharp as his political acumen."[8]
Screen International's Frank Hatherley opined: "Shot on location with loving attention to period detail, the film's take on these long-buried events is convincing. Connolly's three strands are expertly woven together, coming to twin climaxes where terror and cruelty overwhelm everyone. These 'killing field' scenes are not for the squeamish."[6]
The Monthly's Luke Davies wrote: "Jill Jollife's book ... argues that the Australian government has always known the exact circumstances of the newsmen's deaths. Connolly doesn't try to answer such questions, but rather lets them echo in the film." Davies commended Connolly and co-screenwriter David Williamson for having "crafted an engaging film in which we come to care about the destiny of an entire people as well as for individual characters", and that "the film's denouement is terrifying", making it a realistic and confronting experience.[15]
Box office
editBalibo grossed $1,330,863 at the box office in Australia.[16]
Accolades
edit| Award | Category | Subject | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| AACTA Awards (2009 AFI Awards) |
Best Film | Anthony LaPaglia | Nominated |
| Dominic Purcell | Nominated | ||
| Best Direction | Robert Connolly | Nominated | |
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Won | ||
| David Williamson | Won | ||
| Best Actor | Anthony LaPaglia | Won | |
| Best Supporting Actor | Damon Gameau | Nominated | |
| Oscar Isaac | Won | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | Bea Viegas | Nominated | |
| Best Cinematography | Tristan Milani | Nominated | |
| Best Editing | Nick Meyers | Won | |
| Best Original Music Score | Lisa Gerrard | Nominated | |
| Best Sound | Ann Aucote | Nominated | |
| Emma Bortignon | Nominated | ||
| Phil Heywood | Nominated | ||
| Sam Petty | Nominated | ||
| Best Production Design | Robert Cousins | Nominated | |
| Best Costume Design | Cappi Ireland | Nominated | |
| ADG Award | Best Direction in a Feature Film | Robert Connolly | Nominated |
| APRA Award[17][18][19] | Best Film Score | Lisa Gerrard | Won |
| ARIA Music Award | Best Original Soundtrack Album | Won | |
| ASE Award | Best Editing in a Feature Film | Nick Meyers | Nominated |
| FCCA Awards | Best Film | Anthony LaPaglia | Nominated |
| Dominic Purcell | Nominated | ||
| Best Director | Robert Connolly | Nominated | |
| Best Screenplay | Nominated | ||
| David Williamson | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor – Male | Anthony LaPaglia | Won | |
| Best Supporting Actor – Male | Damon Gameau | Nominated | |
| Oscar Isaac | Nominated | ||
| Best Cinematography | Tristan Milani | Nominated | |
| Best Editing | Nick Meyers | Won | |
| Best Music Score | Lisa Gerrard | Won | |
| Inside Film Awards | Best Feature Film | Anthony LaPaglia | Nominated |
| Dominic Purcell | Nominated | ||
| Robert Connolly | Nominated | ||
| Best Script | Nominated | ||
| David Williamson | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor | Anthony LaPaglia | Nominated | |
| Best Cinematography | Tristan Milani | Nominated | |
| Best Editing | Nick Meyers | Won | |
| Best Music | Lisa Gerrard | Nominated | |
| Best Sound | Ann Aucote | Won | |
| Emma Bortignon | Won | ||
| Phil Heywood | Won | ||
| Sam Petty | Won | ||
| Screen Music Award, Australia | Best Feature Film Score | Lisa Gerrard | Won |
| São Paulo International Film Festival | Audience Award for Best Foreign Feature Film | Robert Connolly | Won |
Indonesian ban
editThe film was to have premiered in Indonesia at the 2009 Jakarta International Film Festival. However, in advance of a private screening, the film was banned by the Indonesian Film Censorship Agency. Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said the ban was to avoid a negative "global perception of Indonesia". The Indonesian military supported the ban, with a spokesman saying the film could harm Indonesia's relations with Timor Leste and Australia. He also repeated the official version of events, namely that the journalists were killed in a crossfire, and not by Indonesian troops.[20][21]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "LaPaglia leads Balibo five thriller cast". ABC. 28 September 2007.
- ^ "BALIBO IN PRODUCTION". Urban Cinefile. 3 July 2008. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
- ^ "Movie stars looking to bed with Darwin locals". ABC. 29 April 2008.
- ^ "Robert Connolly producer / director / writer". Arena Film. 2 March 2007.
- ^ "Timor – the Balibo Five | School of Humanities and Social Sciences | UNSW Canberra". Archived from the original on 28 March 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
- ^ a b Hatherley2009-07-24T12:00:00+01:00, Frank. "Balibo". Screendaily.com. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "E Timor capital shuts down for film invasion remake". Agence France Presse]. 31 July 2008. Archived from the original on 26 July 2009.
- ^ a b Kuipers, Richard (23 July 2009). "Balibo Movie Review". Variety.
- ^ a b c "Indonesia 'tortured' Balibo Five". BBC News. 24 July 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- ^ "Balibo 'should prompt war crime charges'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Antipodean Film Festival blossoms in St Tropez with a strong indigenous presence". Ruby TV. 29 September 2010. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
- ^ "Balibo premiere". The Age. Melbourne. Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- ^ "Stars, families share carpet at Balibo premiere". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 24 July 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Balibo at Rotten Tomatoes
- ^ Robert Connolly's 'Balibo', Luke Davies, August 2009
- ^ "Film Victoria – Australian Films at the Australian Box Office" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
- ^ "Screen Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
- ^ "Winners – Screen Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Archived from the original on 25 May 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
- ^ "Nominations – Screen Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Archived from the original on 25 May 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
- ^ "Australian Film 'Balibo' Banned by Indonesian Censors". Jakarta Globe. 1 December 2009. Archived from the original on 5 December 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
- ^ Markus Junianto Sihaloho & Putri Prameshwari (2 December 2009). "'Balibo' Ban Wins Rave Reviews From Indonesian Military". Jakarta Globe. Archived from the original on 26 December 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
Further reading
edit- Jill Jolliffe. Balibo (revised and updated). Melbourne, Scribe. 2009. ISBN 978-1-921372-77-3.
External links
edit- Official website
- Balibo at IMDb
- Balibo at Rotten Tomatoes
- Balibo at Oz Movies
- Hindsight Has Not Cleared the Vision of an Atrocity, Gerard Henderson, Sydney Morning Herald, 17 August 2009.
- Balibo's Grisly Truth, Caroline Overington, The Australian, 4 August 2009.
- John Pilger "A travesty of omissions", New Statesman, 20 August 2009