In a David-and-Goliath battle over a slice of Papua New Guinea paradise, Joe Moses, leader of the Paga Hill Settlement, struggles to save his 3,000 people before they are evicted. Battling it out in the courts, Joe may find his community replaced with a five star hotel and marina. The Opposition is an investigative documentary set in Papua New Guinea where Joe Moses struggles to save his 3,000 strong community before they are forcibly evicted. Despite betrayals, police brutality and risks to his own life, Joe battles through the courts for three years fighting the companies who want to take away his community’s home. As the struggle unfolds, Joe recruits a coalition of allies including Dame Carol Kidu, investigator Dr. Kristian Lasslett and a motivated team of pro-bono lawyers.
Following a decision from the New South Wales Supreme Court last week Media Stockade has been forced to censor their investigative documentary The Opposition. Former Papua New Guinean politician Carol Kidu who is featured in The Opposition, obtained an injunction until the final hearing restraining the publication or exhibition of parts of the film that include her appearance and dialogue. The full version of the documentary was set to have its World Premiere on 3 May 2016 at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in Toronto, coincidently on UN World Press Freedom Day (#WPFD2016).
“The court action seeking to stop the release of parts of The Opposition raises serious questions on the issue of freedom of speech,” the film’s producer Rebecca Barry commented “It would seem that there are powerful forces who don’t want this film to be seen, but we believe that audiences should have the right to make up their own minds. This story is too important not to be told and we will be defending the film strongly when the final hearing takes place in June.”
Of the court case against The Opposition Barry has explained that Former Papua New Guinean politician Carol Kidu who features in The Opposition, has sought to exclude her appearance and dialogue in the film by seeking an injunction restraining Media Stockade from screening and distributing any visual or audio recording that they made of Dame Carol Kidu or any summary, representation or description that has the effect of revealing that content. Her court case is being supported by the Paga Hill Development Company. The Paga Hill community is filing for damages in the PNG Courts for the loss of their homes and human rights violations. The Opposition is their evidence base because most of their documents were destroyed during numerous demolition exercises that were carried out at Paga Hill. Barry added that in line with the court’s preliminary decision, the filmmakers are proceeding with plans to screen a redacted version of the film for Hot Docs audiences. The redacted version of the film features narration over the censored footage by Australian actress Sarah Snook.
Avapura Joe Moses (46), the head of the Paga Hill community, sits in his tent, which was set up at the place of his demolished house. Moses and other elders pressed the charges in the court against the Paga Hill Development Company, which illegally initiated the demolition of the settlement.