Three Papua New Guinea (PNG) films were screened at the Anuu-ru-aboro 4th International Film Festival, which will run from 29th of October to the 7th of November 2010 in the Northern Province of New Caledonia.
Levekuka Clay, Nokondi’s Morning Call and Mama Bilong Down Under are three films produced by the Yumi Piksa project consisting of students at the University of Goroka (UOG) in 2009.
Representing the Yumi Piksa team were Camera Operator Eddi Halaba and Research Assistant Joys Eggins, who were assisted by the French Embassy in PNG and the Anuu-ru-aboro Association.
“Two of the films document the preservation of traditional knowledge, while Mama Bilong Down Under tells the story of Mama Lucindo who cares for her large family”, said Mr. Halaba.
The films were produced following a six-week workshop on film-making at UOG.
Ms. Eggins said that the three films tell real stories produced by young Papua New Guineans and shows the international community the potential for indigenous film-making in the country.
She added that Yumi Piksa and the Anuu-ru-aboro Association is negotiating for an exchange of young film-makers to work in partnership to enhance skills and promote indigenous film-making for Melanesians.
Annuu-ru-aboro, which means ‘man’s shadow’ or ‘film’ in the Paici language (one of 28 Kanak languages), aims to screen films that move towards a decolonising of documentaries in both content and form.
The association has organised training sessions for young Kanaks to professionally produce films for four years.
President of the Anuu-ru-aboro Association, Samuel Goromido said that local television and cinema programming do not reflect the true nature of the Kanak people or the country’s other citizens.
Mr. Goromido said this in reflection of talks under way for New Caledonia to seek independence from France.
The festival will screen 54 films from around the world, with special screenings of Pacific films to be held in nearby villages of the Northern Province.
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See Also: https://masalai.wordpress.com/2009/06/30/yumi-piksa/
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