Produce and directed by Ash Brennan and narrated by Basia Bonkowski, Punks for West Papua is a documentary about how the United Nations betrayed the people of West Papua and how one man’s selfless gesture inspired a history making movement to help strangers in a foreign land.
Punks for West Papua is an Australia wide movement, and the brain child of Jody Bartolo. Jody and his band Diggers with Attitude spearhead Punks for West Papua with the aim to raise money and awareness for the Free West Papua cause.
A midnight text message to film maker and friend, Ash Brennan, started the wheels in motion for a small video think piece at the original Punks for West Papua benefit show at Sydney’s Town & Country Hotel.
But Jody and the Australian punk rock community would turn this event into a no holes barred Australia wide benefit, involving over 50 bands in seven cities around the country. Making Punks for West Papua the biggest, and no doubt, loudest punk rock showcase in the nations history.
The film grew with it. The P4WP film crew travelled around the country, interviewing all the main players of the movement, plus interviews with two time Nobel peace prize nominee, Benny Wenda, journalist Hugh Lunn who was in West Papua for the 1969 vote, rock journalist Stuart Coupe and United Liberation Movement for West Papua leader, Rex Rumikiek.
This film will be screened on Saturday September 2 at the Nimbin Bush Theatre. A $10 entry donation is suggested.
After the Battle of the Bands heat the event will start at 8pm with some songs from notorious quick talker D’Rad MC.
The event will be hosted by director, Ash Brennan and Matthew Jamieson who will do the Q&A after the film.
Shirts, hoodies and information will be available on the night. All proceeds go to the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) to help their executive members attend the UN General Assembly and Decolonisation Committee in September this year.
This film is recommended viewing for not just fans of punk rock but for anybody who believes in justice.
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