FILM TO SUPPORT EAST TIMOR'
Balibo House Trust Fundraiser Screening – Wednesday 12 August

Since its acclaimed world premiere screening at the Melbourne International Film Festival on Friday 24 July, the new Australian political thriller film Balibo, directed by Robert Connolly and starring Anthony LaPaglia, has become one of the most eagerly anticipated local cinema releases in years.

In the lead up to its national release on Thursday 13 August, Balibo has inspired a series of events in Melbourne this month with public dialogue about the 1975 events in East Timor reignited. As Indonesia prepared to invade the tiny nation, five Australian-based journalists went missing. Four weeks later, veteran foreign correspondent Roger East was lured to East Timor by the young and charismatic Jose Ramos-Horta to tell the story of his country and investigate the fate of the missing men.

Surrounding the Melbourne cinema release of the film, the public can attend a range of events including the launch of the new special edition of Jill Jolliffe’s book Cover Up on which the film was based, the release of the soundtrack by Golden Globe Award winning composer Lisa Gerrard, and Question and Answer sessions with the director and cast.

Most importantly, members of the families of the Balibo Five are organising a special fundraising screening at Rivoli Cinemas in East Hawthorn on Wednesday 12 August. Funds raised will go towards the Balibo House Trust. The Balibo House was the last refuge of the five journalists, on which Channel 7 journalist Greg Shackleton painted the Australian flag and the word Australia, believing it would protect them from attack. The House is now a Community Learning Centre run by the local community. It offers computer classes, sewing machines, a carpentry and mechanics workshop and a crèche for 30 children. It also houses a memorial to the Balibo Five and local Balibo martyrs. Hosted by former Premier Steve Bracks and cast members, tickets to the screening are $50 and can be booked on (03) 9557-6661.

The release of Balibo also coincides with the 10^th anniversary of East Timor’s successful vote for independence at the end of the month, which will be celebrated with a special event at Federation Square on Saturday 29 August. At this event, excerpts from Balibo which has been dubbed into Tetum language will be screened.

Following its Australian release, Balibo is set to make its mark internationally with a special screening at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.

BALIBO EVENTS DIARY

Wednesday 12 August
Balibo House Fundraiser
creening of Balibo
Tickets: $50, includes finger food and refreshments
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: Rivoli Cinema, 200 Camberwell Road, East Hawthorn
Bookings: Barbara Godfrey on 9557 6661

Thursday 13 August 
Launch of BALIBO the book by Jill Jolliffe
Time: 6pm
Venue: Readings, 309 Lygon Street, Carlton
Enquiries: 9347 6633

Thursday 13 August
Meet The Filmmaker: Balibo Screening and Q&A
with Robert Connolly, Jill Jolliffe, Damon Gameau, Tom Wright, Mark Winter and Bea Viegas

Time: 7pm
Venue: Nova Cinema, 380 Lygon Street, Carlton
Bookings: www.cinemanova.com.au

Thursday 13 August
Balibo opens at cinemas: Village Rivoli, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Como, Carlton Nova, Yarraville, Melbourne Central.

Sunday 16 August
Launch of the Balibo Soundtrack
pecial Guest composer Lisa Gerrard, Paul Stewart and the Timorese Choir
Time: 6:30pm
Venue: Palace Cinema Como, Cnr Toorak and Chapel Street, South Yarra
Enquiries: 9827 7533

Saturday 22nd August
In conversation with Shirley Shackleton and Clinton Fernandes
Time: 3pm
Venue: Nova Cinema, 380 Lygon St Carlton
Details: Footprint Films, Cinema Nova and The Age present an exclusive offer to subscribers of THE AGE

Saturday 29 August
10^th Anniversary of Timorese Independence
Free event at Federation Square including concert on the main stage and photo exhibition on the large screen, featuring some of Australia’s best performers.
Time: from 5pm,
Venue: Federation Square, Melbourne
Enquiries: www.fedsquare.com.au

Tags: Anthony LaPaglia, Balibo