MovieChat Forums > Balibo (2009) Discussion > 'Balibo' film has real-life impact

'Balibo' film has real-life impact

posted 15 years ago by phishbust123
4 replies | jump to latest

Not only has the movie "Balibo" been getting excellent reviews, it would appear that the film has increased public awareness enough to spur the Australian government into finally taking action towards possibly achieving some justice for the Balibo 5 and their families:

Article from The Australian: "AFP to launch Balibo war crimes probe"
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26048785-2702,00.html

While it is still a long shot that those identified as being directly responsible for the murders of the Balibo 5 will ever actually be brought to trial, at least the families no longer have to suffer the indignity of their own Australian government's refusal to even acknowledge the murder of their loved ones in the first place.

It must be very gratifying for "Balibo" director Robert Connolly, Anthony LaPaglia, Jill Jolliffe (whose book "Cover-Up" is the basis for the movie), and the rest of the cast & crew of "Balibo" to know that their film has had such a positive, real-life impact.

[–] spike06 15 years ago

This is a fantastic turn of events off the back of this fine film. Sadly it will be a near impossible feat to bring the perpetrators to justice due to Indonesian government verbalizing that they will not allow any of the accused to be extradited let alone stand trial. Perhaps with U.N pressure and world condemnation this may change but I wouldn't hold my breath. Despite this, it remains a brilliant turn of events for the families of those killed. For this I tip my hats to the producers, actors, financiers, director for placing this topic in the public consciousness again.
Its sad its taken 34 years for the government to launch a detailed crime investigation, but better late than never!

[–] tjaisv 14 years ago

Yunus Yosfiah, former Minister for Information in the Habibie Government in Indonesia in 1998 and 1999, was accused of having led the 1975 attack in Balibo. War crimes charges are expected to be brought against him soon.

[–] roland-rockerfella 14 years ago

The Australian gov was shamed into taking some action after the release of Balibo. However after more than 30 years it will be virtually impossibe to bring those responsibe to justice.

[–] jarsd43 13 years ago

I wonder if the reason Anthony La Paglia's successful tv show was taken off the air in spite of it's top ratings is because he made this movie? There was never an answer to this at the time and I can't help but wonder if this is it because in the end the US had a hand in this crime.