For Australians, the story of the Balibo Five has remained curiously unknown and largely ignored. Their deaths during the 1975 Indonesian incursion in East Timor were shrouded in secrecy for some 32 years until an official inquest in 2007.
Now, their story as well as the fate of Roger East – who tried to reveal the truth back in 1975 – is being brought to life in Robert Connolly’s much-anticipated Balibo. Connolly, producer John Maynard and Aussie acting expat Anthony Lapaglia have been championing this film for over five years; sadly fitting for a story that has been kept under wraps for so long.
Gallipoli screenwriter David Williamson returns to a tale of doomed Australian men with Balibo. He and Connolly penned the screenplay from Jill Jollifee’s 2001 book Cover Up: The Inside Story of the Balibo Five. Lapaglia has assumed the role of Roger East and Oscar Isaac (who impressed as Joseph in the overlooked The Nativity Story) plays now President of East Timor José Ramos-Horta. You can see some great stills from the film here.
Here’s hoping Balibo succeeds in revealing this important and tragic story both to our nation and to the world. This gripping trailer is certainly an encouraging start.
Balibo
Director: Robert Connolly
Cast: Anthony Lapaglia, Oscar Isaac, Damon Gameau, Gyton Grantley, Nathan Phillips, Mark Winter, Thomas Wright
Country: Australia
Balibo will open the Melbourne International Film Festival on 24 July prior to its theatrical release date on 13 August.
