Balibo

Australia 2009, 105 minutes
Dir. Robert Connolly
Rating: [M]
Genres: Suspense/Crime, Drama

Topics: Politics, Media, Period 1970s, Indigenous & Minority Cultures, Educational Resource.

Feat. Anthony LaPaglia, Oscar Isaac, Nathan Phillips, Gyton Grantley, Damon Gameau

Aroview: Searing political thriller based on the death of five Australian-based journalists (one, a Kiwi) who, upon covering the occupation of East Timor in the mid-70's, were secretively killed by invading Indonesia forces.

With the help of veteran writer David Williamson, director Robert Connolly steps up his game here to deliver a mature and riveting drama that is committed to autheticity in content and style as it tells its parallel stories of the "Balibo Five" and one man's conflicted duty to find them. One could quibble that the over-emphatic finale is trumped by an earlier, pivotal scene both in staging and impact, but going against the bleak events and message it delivers to Australians, this is an important film they can be well proud of.

NZ International Film Festival 2009