New Land of the Morning Star film
Title -- 4273 PAPUA: New Land of the Morning Star film
Date -- 13 January 2004
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pacific Media Watch
Source -- vikki@law.uts.edu.au 13/1/4
Copyright -- Film Australia
Status -- Unabridged
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NEW LAND OF THE MORNING STAR FILM
http://www.filmaustralia.com.au
SYDNEY (ABC/Film Australia/Pacific Media Watch): A new documentary about West Papua, Land of the Morning Star, made by independent Australian journalist Mark Worth will be broadcast on ABC TV next month.
The film features rare archival film and eyewitness accounts:
Land of the Morning Star screens 8.30pm, February 2, on ABC TV
Land of the Morning Star tells how for centuries the world has
jostled for control of this rugged, isolated region with its abundant
natural resources and strategic position. It is an epic story of
colonial ambitions, cold war sellouts and fervent nationalism.
Land of the Morning Star is a new Australian documentary premiering
on ABC TV at 8.30pm, Monday February 2. Its director, Mark Worth,
has spent much of his journalistic career reporting on the region.
The western half of the island of New Guinea is a wildly beautiful
place where snow-capped mountains drain into massive rivers and
over 250 of the world's languages are spoken. It has been known by
many names including Netherlands New Guinea, West Papua, Irian Jaya
and Papua.
The first outsiders to arrive were Macassans from the Malay
Peninsula, looking for sandalwood, prized bird of paradise
feathers and slaves. Next came the Dutch, with their explorers,
anthropologists, traders, planters and missionaries.
When war came to the Pacific in 1941, the Americans chose Dutch
New Guinea's capital Hollandia as their base of operations against
the Japanese. Half a million soldiers passed through Hollandia,
going on to fight some of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific war.
After the war, the Dutch reclaimed Papua, until U.S. President
Kennedy persuaded them to hand over their colony to a newly
independent Indonesia. Today, despite continuing Papuan resistance,
the Indonesians remain firmly in control.
Narrated by Rachel Griffiths and featuring rare archival film and
eyewitness accounts, Land of the Morning Star explores the causes
and realities of the troubles in a land only 100 kilometres to
Australia's north.
Film Australia is an Australian Government-owned company, which
supports production and distribution of documentaries in the
national interest.
Further information:
www.filmaustralia.com.au
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