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A
Nation is born
EAST TIMOR - Birth of a Nation
Narrated
by Cate Blanchett. ABC Video.
Rated PG. 109 minutes.
Reviewer
:: Ben Caddaye
In
1975, after 460 years of Portuguese rule, Fretilin, the revolutionary
front for an independent East Timor, declared independence
for the small nation.
Ten days later Indonesia invaded and for the next 24 years
East Timor’s resistance army fought the Indonesian military
– a conflict that cost more than 250,000 lives, or a
third of the population.
In 1999, Indonesia agreed to a referendum and the people of
East Timor voted unanimously for independence.
East Timor: Birth of a Nation is a two-part documentary that
delves into the lives of the liberated East Timorese people
and examines how they are building a future.
Part one of the documentary, Rosa’s Story, revolves around
the plight of Rosa Martins, a 27-year-old widow and mother
of six who lives in a shack on the outskirts of Dili.
Part two, Lu Olo’s Story, tells the tale of Francisco
“Lu Olo” Guterres, who survived 20 years of armed
resistance against Indonesia, rising to the rank of commander
in the Falintil army.
Both stories are well presented, sad but inspirational and
would strike a chord with ADF personnel who have spent time
in East Timor, or anyone who has followed this tiny nation’s
rise from the ashes.
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C
O M P E T I T I O N
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The
Australian Defence Force newspapers have five copies
of East Timor: Birth of a Nation to give away.
On the back of an envelope, write your name and address
and the answer to this question:
- In
what year did East Timor vote for independence?
Send
it to:
Timor Video give away,
c/o Air Force News, R8-LG-042, Russell Offices
ACT 2600.
The
first five correct entries drawn will receive a copy
of East Timor: Birth of a Nation.
Entries must be received by close of business on Thursday,
September 26.
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