A new documentary film examining the maritime boundary dispute between Australia and East Timor is scheduled to screen at Mt Vic Flicks on June 5.
Presented by the Blue Mountains East Timor Sisters, Time to Draw the Line! looks behind the chequered history of friendship, courage and betrayal between the two countries and presents the campaign for a fair go for East Timor.
Australia has negotiated permanent maritime boundaries with every country in its region except East Timor who want the boundary to be drawn halfway between the two countries, in accordance with international law. Affecting the boundary is the multi-billion dollar oil and gas treaty which Australia and East Timor recently abandoned. Through a wealth of interviews, including prominent Australians speaking for East Timor, and archival footage, the film unravels this David and Goliath story.
One of the film’s producers Janelle Saffin is travelling from Lismore to speak at the screening. Saffin, until recently a State Labor MP, has long been a supporter of East Timor.
A short animated film directed by Wendy Chandler, Jose’s Story, will also screen. The animation tells Jose da Costa’s inspiring story of hope and survival, of growing up witness to the Santa Cruz cemetery massacre, family members dying of starvation and much more.
Time to Draw the Line!, directed by Amanda King and Fabio Cavadini, is an emotional study of Australia’s long connection to Timor-Leste. Renowned film director Tom Zubrycki describes the film as very passionate, very moving and beautifully crafted.
The film is being distributed through Cinema-on-demand which requires 60 tickets to be reserved by May 22 for the screening to be confirmed. Tickets are available online only and the BMETS strongly encourages people interested in attending the Mount Victoria screening to book now to ensure the show goes on. https://tickets.demand.film/event/1677.