I've only seen Answered By Fire once. I need to see it again before I can hope to view it critically and dispassionately, and my perceptions of it right now are severely influenced by the knowledge that as I write there are tens of thousands of people crowding refugee camps around Dili in what threatens to be some sort of repeat of the appalling events this production portrays a small glimpse of.
What impressed me were the realism of it, the humanity and inhumanity within us all, and I am frankly surprised that the political thought police allowed some of what is said, and much of what is implied, to get out onto Australian national television.
The acting - by the professionals and the recruited Timorese from the community now in Australia alike - was totally believable and transparent. The sets, in Queensland, are well done (I understand the Timorese in the cast sometimes found it hard to believe they weren't back home). The violence of the situation is communicated without being in-your-face or graphic. There's just enough "human-interest" to prevent it being a political essay or docu-drama, but not so much that it risks becoming mawkish.
My only regret, entirely selfish, but the reason I awarded it 'only' 9 out of a possible 10 stars, is that its length (and presumably available budget) prevented some of the themes touched on / alluded to being explored in greater depth: I wanted more!
I was genuinely affected by this production. If there is any way you can arrange to see Answered By Fire, do so.
What impressed me were the realism of it, the humanity and inhumanity within us all, and I am frankly surprised that the political thought police allowed some of what is said, and much of what is implied, to get out onto Australian national television.
The acting - by the professionals and the recruited Timorese from the community now in Australia alike - was totally believable and transparent. The sets, in Queensland, are well done (I understand the Timorese in the cast sometimes found it hard to believe they weren't back home). The violence of the situation is communicated without being in-your-face or graphic. There's just enough "human-interest" to prevent it being a political essay or docu-drama, but not so much that it risks becoming mawkish.
My only regret, entirely selfish, but the reason I awarded it 'only' 9 out of a possible 10 stars, is that its length (and presumably available budget) prevented some of the themes touched on / alluded to being explored in greater depth: I wanted more!
I was genuinely affected by this production. If there is any way you can arrange to see Answered By Fire, do so.