| Description |
1 online resource (77 minutes) |
| Summary |
The Opposition is an investigative documentary set in Papua New Guinea that follows local leader Joe Moses' struggle to save his 3,000 strong community before they are forcibly evicted from their homes. Despite betrayals, police brutality and risks to his own life, Joe battles through the courts for three years fighting those who want to take away his community's home. The saga starts on Mothers Day, Port Moresby 2012: 100 policemen wield machetes and descend on the Paga Hill Settlement to bulldoze their houses to the ground. Residents are beaten, and cut with machetes; the policemen open fire on the crowd while arresting the Leader of the Opposition Government, Dame Carol Kidu, there to protect the community. This demolition is to make way for the new multi-million 'master planned development', including a five-star hotel, marina wharf and executive residential apartments which will 'set a new precedent in PNG'. As the struggle unfolds, Joe Moses recruits a coalition of allies including Dame Carol Kidu, investigator Dr. Kristian Lasslett and a motivated team of pro-bono lawyers. Piecing together the evidence, The Opposition shines a light on the pressures of urban development at a time when displacement is becoming a common occurrence for communities around the world. As the Paga Hill crisis becomes a well known David and Goliath battle in Papua New Guinea, the government enters into a profit share with the company, creating a new twist in the saga. The obstacles stack up against the community: in a devastating blow to their morale, their mentor Dame Carol Kidu retires from politics as the Leader of the Opposition, and in a surprising about turn, begins working with the development company who want to evict them. Where once Dame Carol Kidu stood in front of bulldozers to defend the people, she is now in charge of relocating the community, paid by the development company. As the Supreme Court date draws closer, the pressure mounts. Late one night, two plain clothed policemen attempt to arrest Joe Moses and refuse to tell him the reason for his arrest. Fearing for his safety if taken into custody, the community distracts the police and Joe is able to escape into hiding ... Current affairs backdrop: There will be an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation APEC -meeting hold in Papua New Guinea in November 2018, gathering the great majority of world leaders. The reason this is significant is, that the Paga Hill site, central in the story of The Opposition is also the site of some of the APEC facilities |
| Notes |
Title from resource description page (viewed November 07, 2019) |
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In English |
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Nominated 2017 Australian Screen Sound Guild, Best Achievement in Sound for a Documentary |
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Nominated 2017 Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Best Documentary Feature Film |
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Win 2017 FIFO Awards, Best Documentary Film |
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Win 2017 Ozflix Independent Film Awards, Best Documentary Film |
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Nominated 2017 Sydney Film Festival, Best Documentary |
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Nominated 2017 Docudays UA International Documentary Human Rights Film Festival, Best Film |
| Subject |
Police brutality -- Papua New Guinea
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Opposition (Political science) -- Papua New Guinea
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Eviction -- Papua New Guinea
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Eviction.
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Opposition (Political science)
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Police brutality.
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Papua New Guinea.
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| Genre/Form |
Documentary films.
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Documentary films.
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Documentaires.
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| Form |
Streaming video
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| Author |
Fifer, Hollie, director
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Hetherton, Madeleine, producer
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Barry, Rebecca (Film director), producer.
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Media Stockade, production company
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Screen Australia, presenter.
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