Balibo (2009)

The Worst Film Ever

hyped garbage

Fantastic!

The movie runs out of plot and jokes well before the end of a two-hour running time, long for a light comedy.

about war. and pain, and sufferance and hope. about people. and about the ideals. a film who reminds more than presents. because it is a simple story. not different but other stories of hate and idealism. but , impressive for the remarkable performances and for the atmosphere. for its message . and for the science to give a deeper image about a tragedy near us . to redefine the image and purpose of media. and to present the right portrait of the need to help against risks and against fear.

I am a Indonesian and this movie shows up cruelty within Soeharto (president) and Tentara Nasional Indonesia (army). I am so shame that a story which is revealed so sadly. But it is a nice movie and thank you for the director that makes it so honest.For the rest comment, I would like to encourage all Indonesians to watch this movie. Because somehow you have to learned that maybe this is the real and truth histories, since Soeharto makes us foolish with "fake" histories. I hope with this movie the peace will spread to all nations.What can I say for more, this is a great and hilarious movie.

Greetings ,im from IndonesiaThis film maybe speak the truth of the real events on Balibo 75, the version of truth by the Western people (including Australians of course) and pro-Fretilin people,like Jose Ramos Horta. But it totally different with our version (Hey,Im from Indonesia) ,we believe that 5 Australians journalist died because their hideout place was burned by some explosive (maybe some mortar or grenade) during 4 hours war in Balibo near the Chinese house. We didn't yet know what actually happens there.. And the other truth. Yes,our troop (Indonesian) invade that country with the authorization of the US Government,including US President (Who left Indonesia 2 days before the invasion begin). US Government also send us lot of modern military stuff for invade East Timor (Such as OV10 Bronco, Bell 205 and 412). And Roger East also being executed and they dispose his body to the ocean..Im sorry but lot of Indonesian people still believe that Roger East being executed by Fretilin because he know some secret in Balibo that make Fretilin kill him.Well..this maybe some other version of the international version storiesAnd I watch this film and it have a little thing that irritating me. I think the Director of the Balibo (Mr.Robert Connoly) less accurate for the detail of the real Indonesian soldier equipment during that times. The first, It didn't shows any M16A1 carried by Indonesian troops (Lot of them just carry AK47 / Type 56 and some bring G3) ,Indonesian troops use a lot of M16A1 during that war,and also Ak / RPK. the second , we using Bell Huey for transport the troops,not a Gunship. We already have the brand new Bo105 with FFAR rockets and mini gun, for the gunship choppers when in East Timor during that period. and last , HEY! We are not a fictional country in South America movies, we didn't use any DC3 / C47 again since West Papua war over. Indonesian airborne troop using the modern of C130 Hercules during the invasion, and the similar plane of DC3 only The Gunship AC47 for supporting fire.otherwise. Balibo still a great movies. Recommended for a people who love to watch some real event of political thriller moviesStill Looking for the truth of the event..

In the tradition of The Killing Fields, this is a very good film bringing atrocities and the silent complicity of Western governments in those atrocities to a wider audience. Students of writers such as John Pilger will be aware of what happened after the Indonesians invaded East Timor in 1975, and how after the invasion the Australian government did nothing other than to take a stake in the oil and gas reserves around the island. Anthony La Paglia plays the central role of journalist Roger East who goes to East Timor to investigate the disappearance of five journalists who have preceded him there to report on the impending Indonesian invasion. The fate of the five is pretty obvious from the start but we are drawn in to joining East in his quest to find out the 'how' and the 'when' if not 'what' befell them.We are not given much explanation of what East has been through before to make him state halfway through the film that he cannot carry on and wants to return home to Australia nor into what makes him undergo a complete volte face in the last twenty minutes and take the insane risk of staying in the face of a brutal Indonesian invasion. This is a weak point of the film that might well be explained in a longer director's cut. That being said, there is a slow section in the middle showing how East gets through the jungle back from Balibo to Dilli that could have usefully been trimmed or cut altogether.For all those criticisms this is an absorbing and thoughtful account of what went on in a little-known part of the world under the noses of the West (which did nothing to stop a massacre). La Paglia's performance is never less than solid, and Walter Isaacs clearly has a great future ahead of him. If it falls a little short of being a great film this is still one that is worth the price of admission.