Intensely political and emotional, this documentary is a celebration of West Papua, told through story, music and song. It’s also a testament to the determination of director, Charlie Hill-Smith, whose passion for Melanesian culture has driven him since his teenage years.
‘Music can rise above tyranny’ is the motto of the production. The tyranny refers to Indonesian control of the West Papuan province; the music, peppered through the production, includes songs by murdered musician and independence hero, Arnold Ap.
Hill-Smith’s creative reaction to international silence about West Papua draws in a large community of artistic collaborators, including Australian music legend David Bridie (My Friend the Chocolate Cake). –MIFF
