Monday, July 11, 2011

Iconic Aussie Films: Balibo (Robert Connolly, 2009)

Balibo staged its World Premiere at the 2009 Melbourne International Film Festival, and follows the story of the 'Balibo Five', a group of journalists who were captured and killed whilst reporting on activities in East Timor just prior to the December 1975 Indonesian invasion. While simultaneously depicting their tragic story, the film also tracks veteran Australian journalist Roger East (Anthony LaPaglia) who is lured to East Timor to work for Jose Ramos Horta (Oscar Isaac), East Timor's charismatic Secretary of Foreign Affairs. He decides to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the young journalists. With the threat of invasion scarily imminent, East travels to Balibo, a dangerous outpost near the Indonesian border, in search for the answers. Depicting harrowing truths (based loosely on Jill Jolliffe's book, The Cover Up), that until quite recently had remained a mystery, and featuring excellent performances, this is one compelling Australian film. 


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