Which movies put otherwise healthy audiences at risk of a cinema-induced heart attack this year? And which object moved audiences, despite the fact that it couldn’t move? Find out here…
Balibo
Is Australia’s film industry really that bad?
Bemoaning the woeful state of Australia’s film industry has almost become a cliche in the local media. But are things really that bad? 2009’s fantastic crop of Aussie feature films should prove the critics wrong, says Sylvia Lawson.
Shirley Shackleton: We must end the deeply humiliating scandal of Balibo
I wonder what pressure in being brought to force Purwanto to become the fall guy for his senior officers by creating mediocre versions of the murders, none of which are credible, writes Shirley Shackleton, writer and activist for East Timor.
Balibo banned in Indonesia
The Australian film Balibo was supposed to be shown at the Jakarta International Film Festival on Tuesday, but was blocked last minute by the Indonesian censorship board.
Grattan: Time to close the book on Balibo
Even if the AFP’s investigation into the Balibo Five is successful — and that’s a big “if” — what good will it serve either Australia or Indonesia? asks Michelle Grattan
Singer: Balibo author is the real hero
Although the makers of new film Balibo will receive much of the credit for launching the AFP’s investigation into the Balibo Five, the real hero is journalist Jill Jolliffe, whose book Cover Up: the inside story of the Balibo Five laid much of the groundwork for the film.
Indonesia: Balibo probe a “waste of time”
The AFP’s recent decision to launch an investigation into the Balibo Five has angered Indonesia, with officials labeling it a “waste of time” and warning that it will harm diplomatic relations. With such resistance on the Indonesian side, will justice ever be served?
Investigation will expose the blood on Whitlam’s hands
An investigation into the Balibo Five wont reveal anything we don’t know about Indonesia’s culpability in the matter — but it will expose the Whitlam government’s bureaucratic bungling both before and after the murders, says Geraldine Willesee.
Crikey cage match: Is Australian film still down in the dumps?
In last week’s Sunday Age, Michael Coulter said he’d rather watch the next Transformers film than watch anything made by down-in-the-dumps local filmmakers. Crikey’s movie blogger Luke Buckmaster begs to differ.
Henderson: Balibo no historical document
The film Balibo should not be represented as historical fact, as it’s criticism of Australian government and institutions is unjustified, writes Gerard Henderson.
Interview with Balibo director Robert Connolly
Luke Buckmaster sits down with Robert Connolly, director of acclaimed new film Balibo, which recreates the events surrounding the murder of five Australian journalists in East Timor in 1975.
Balibo: history with just a dash of fiction
The film Balibo isn’t entirely accurate. The film’s consulting historian, Clinton Fernandes, explains why. Also, check out what Balibo Five widow, Shirley Shackleton, thinks of the film.
Woolcott: “Blame the media for Balibo Five”
Retired diplomat Richard Woolcott says the Australian media deserves more of the blame for the 1975 deaths of five journalists in Balibo, Timor, than the Australian government, stating the news outlets they were working for “bear a heavy responsibility that they’ve never had to shoulder.”
Balibo: the truth is even more brutal
The film Balibo, based on Roger East and the Balibo Five in East Timor, is a fairly accurate historical document of the 1975 invasion, but the real violence was even worse.
Balibo: another great Aussie film
Balibo — based on the true story of five Aussie journalists (aka The Balibo Five) who were murdered by Indonesian militia — is knock out stuff: taut as all hell, a stick of dynamite lit and tossed into the audience’s faces.
Killing Greg Shackleton, again and again and again
A live person cannot even use the D word against someone who is assassinating a dead person’s character because of the likelihood of being charged with defamation, writes Shirley Shackleton.
