Balibo 5
March 26th 2010 09:41
Sometimes, as an Australian, you think you’re invincible overseas. Sometimes as a journalist you forget that you’re not. Sometimes you become ignorant and desensitised to the realities and fragility of life. This is the case of the Balibo 5, a group of young, ambitious male journalists with the hunger to go above and beyond their role and risk their lives to get the story to the world. They lost their lives trying, but in doing so highlighted a significant event that had been overlooked and is still under investigation.
The film is based on true events. Set in 1975 in East Timor (Portuguese Timor back then), 50-year-old Australian Roger East, also known as the sixth Balibo journalist, is called upon by a free press organization to help cover an imminent invasion by Indonesia and the atrocities that are to come. After finding out 5 Australian journalists have gone missing he agrees to investigate.
He follows the deadly path of the five enthusiastic young men aged from 21 to 29 sent to Timor by rival stations Channel 7 and 9. As East searches for answers the Indonesians slowly move into Timor and begin seemingly killing everyone in their path. After talking to the Timorese, including one soldier who sacrifices his life in vain for East’s quest to uncover the truth, East is finally led to a place known as the Chinese house, a supposed safe haven for the Balibo five which they nicknamed the Australian Embassy. A place they thought they were invincible. The walls are stained with blood when East arrives and he quickly learns of their deadly fate.
The deaths of the Balibo Five are played out in a flashback sequence. As the Chinese house is surrounded by Indonesian soldiers the journalists give themselves up unarmed, “I’m Australian, I’m Australian!” they plead, but the soldiers show them no mercy, stabbing them and shooting them in a deadly bloodbath before burning the bodies and all their film.
The Indonesians move deeper into the country and catch up to East. East, while trying to report everything he has seen, is dragged out of the office and is killed in the streets, once again pleading "I'm Australian, I'm Australian!" Hundreds more Timorese are executed around him in the take over.
Based on the facts available to the filmmakers, I found the Balibo 5 a very real portrayal of what is perceived to have happened. I liked the subtle touches of Australian culture at the beginning of the film; fishing, drinking beer and swimming in a back yard pool, because it made the Australian audience feel very ‘at home’ with the characters.
It’s an interesting story as the Indonesian Government say the Balibo 5 were killed in cross fire, while in 2007 an Australian coroner ruled they were killed deliberately.
To this day no one has been brought to justice for their deaths. If you're into history and current affairs, a great watch.
BALIBO 5
Greg Shackleton, 27 – reporter, Seven Network
Tony Stewart, 21 – sound recordist, Seven Network
Gary Cunningham, 27 – Seven Network
Brian Peters, 29 – Cameraman, Nine Network
Malcolm Rennie, 28 – Reporter, Nine Network
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