Review of Balibo (2009) by Cameron W — 11 Aug 2009

For me Australian films can be hit and miss. Due to the nature of the Australian film industry you can?t really expect much, but every now and then you discover a film that restores your faith in the industry; Balibo is one of those films. Balibo is a powerful and emotional film that makes a big political point. The world turned its back on East Timor when it was invaded by Indonesia; as a result a lot of people lost their lives including 6 Australian journalists. The content of this film is quite raw and confronting that is handed superbly by director Robert Connelly working with a cast of talented young actors who deliver the goods while Anthony Lapalgia provides the star power.

The real events that unfolded in East Timor in 1975 are quite complex. So many different angles and points of view could have been taken with the story and luckily the focus is kept in East Timor. The story is told via a series of flashbacks and flash-forwards that work effectively to set up the impending doom of the Indonesian invasion. Although the story may feel a little disjointed in parts it works toward an epic finale that stays with you long after the films finished.

The performances in Balibo are solid with the films big star Anthony Lapaglia providing a solid performance as Rodger East, the ill fated journalist who sets out to find the missing journalists. Lapaglia holds the film together well but is slightly eclipsed by his younger co-stars. All the actors cast as the Balbio 5 are great, managing to capture the youthful energy and passion these guys had for their work as well as their commitment to being journalists. The man that steals the film though is Oscar Issac that plays a young Jose Ramos-Horta. Issac plays Ramos-Horta with a charm that saw him become the voice of East Timor while showing his guilt in what he has to do for the world to take notice of what?s going on by putting the Australian journalists in danger.

Balibo isn?t flawless with the first half of the movie moving at a very slow pace that drags a little. Also too much time is spent on Lapaglia and the journey of Rodger East and very little on the 5 Australian journalists. I found the 5 Australian journalists such interesting characters that could have been explored a little deeper considering the peril they put themselves in. You only get a little insight as to what drives and motivates them.

Balibo at its core is a powerful political film that reminds us that we still have a long way to go. It?s a reminder of a dark part of history that should never be repeated. Balibo shows the implications of what happens when good people do nothing and the price a select few pay to ensure something isn?t swept under the rug.