The 13th Ubud Writers & Readers Festival is Southeast Asia’s leading festival of words and ideas. The Festival celebrates extraordinary stories, amplifies brave voices, and tackles global issues through the lens of literature and the arts. On 30 October Ivens’ Indonesia Calling! will be shown with a Q&A of Agung Rai, Anthony and Helen Liem and other guests from the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Indonesia Calling! (1946) is a landmark film in the context of Indonesian-Australian relations during Indonesia’s struggle for independence. In late 1945, Dutch filmmaker Joris Ivens resigned from his post in the Netherlands Indies Government in protest against Dutch policy, and relocated to Sydney. There, Ivens was approached to create a film about the Australian actions in support the Indonesian uprising. It premiered in 1946 in Sydney, and was screened to freedom fighters in Indonesia, who were delighted by Australia’s support.
The film was part of a trade union-led campaign against Dutch shipping – called the Black Armada – that eventually led to Australian government support for Indonesian independence. This period of strong friendship between the two nations has largely been forgotten in both countries.
Guest speakers from the Australian National Maritime Museum – associated with the museum’s Black Armada exhibition: Australian support for Indonesian independence 1945–1949 – will introduce the historical events around the film and answer questions following the screening.

The show is part of the Black Armada Tour, presenting the story of the ban-actions through an exhibition, film screenings and debates in both Australia and Indonesia.

30 Oct 2016        16:00 - 17:00 Free Events, address Betelnut. Jl. Raya Ubud