Bristol Indymedia: Forgotten Bird Of Paradise

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Mon 5 March 2012 // 20:00

(Mon 5th / 8pm / £4 though nobody refused for lack of funds)

Forgotten Bird of Paradise is a 2009 documentary by British film-maker Dominic Brown, when he travelled to West Papua without the permission of the Indonesian authorities, putting himself in great danger. It provides a rare and moving insight into the struggle for independence that has gripped West Papua for nearly 50 years.

The documentary features footage of OPM rebels in their jungle stronghold and an interview with Yusak Package, a high profile West Papuan political campaigner recognised by Amnesty International as a 'prisoner of conscience'. He is currently serving a ten year prison sentence.

The interview was recorded in secret, whilst Yusak was in hospital receiving treatment for torture injuries. This is a world where ancient traditions and culture lives on in the modern age and a people whose determination for freedom burns stronger now than at any time in history, finally their cries are starting to get heard.

We also have Benny Wenda and his friend Serogo, two West Papua refugees who are kindly coming for talks after the film.