‘Contemporary World Film Series’ at TK Park
Third film, in November
‘Beatriz’s War’ (‘A Guerra da Beatriz’), Timor-Leste, 2013, 1 hr 41 mins, directed by Bety Reis & Luigi Acquisto, on SATURDAY 5 NOVEMBER, 4 pm.
In keeping with the unique and exciting range of movies being screened in our ‘Contemporary World Film Series’, we are proud to present ‘Beatriz’s War’, the first film made in the country of Timor-Leste.
The film will be screened in November, as part of the country’s National Day celebrations.
Beatriz’s War captures the diverse aspects of a vibrant country which achieved its liberation in 1999, through a Referendum sponsored by the United Nations -its beautiful landscapes, cruel politics, resilient people- in a story of love, passion, pain and suffering.
It is the story of one woman’s war against injustice, which is symptomatic of the nation’s war against a country who occupied their land for more than two decades (Indonesia).
Infact, the story is based on the real-life massacre of a village called Kraras, by the Indonesian army, when they encounter Timorese resistance fighters from the village. They kill all the men, leaving behind a village of widows. It is during this attack, that Tomas, the husband of the protagonist of the film, disappears. Beatriz wears black, but acts brave and rallies the women of the village to move on with their lives, in spite of the dark presence of the Indonesian army.
However, East Timor wins its historic independence from Indonesia- which this film rivetingly portrays.
That’s when Beatriz’s husband suddenly returns to the village, after 16 years. She realizes however that he’s changed a lot, which confuses and disturbs her.
The ending of the film shows the price a man, woman, and a country have to pay, when they have been besieged and humiliated, and seek justice and retribution.
A highlight of the ending, is an emotional speech from the country’s first President Xanana Gusmao, who was the individual who urged continuous resistance against the Indonesians, and who was jailed in Djakarta for several years, until his country became free.
The power of the film comes from the spontaneity and spirit of the near non-professional cast, who are, after all, enacting one of the most sordid parts of their country’s history, which had affected them all.
‘Beatriz’s War’ came about, due to the formation of the first film company in the country, Dili Film Works, who teamed up with FairTrade Films from Australia. The latter provided the technical know-how and crew, for the production of the country’s first film. The result is a rare and riveting movie that created a stir at festivals around the world, from India to Australia to Portugal.
‘BEATRIZ’S WAR’ (with ENGLISH sub-titles), will be screened at TK Park, on Saturday, 5 November, at 4 pm.
(Thailand Knowledge Park- 8th Floor, Central World, Dazzle Zone, Ph.- 02 2574300)
The screening of ‘Beatriz’s War’ is supported by the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, as part of their National Day celebrations.
Timor-Leste Ambassador HE Joaquim Amaral will introduce the film.
Snacks and refreshments will be served by the Timor-Leste Embassy, after the screening.
*** (The film is suitable for age-group 18+) ****
Entry Fee: 20 B Entry-Fee (for One-Day Pass.)
www.tkpark.or.th
Film Auditorium will open at 3:00 pm
For Reservations – yuttinai@tkpark.or.th , https://goo.gl/pTuAPx or
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Pl Reserve Early, to ensure seats.