Children of the Crocodile
(2002, 52 minutes, winner Audience Award, Best Documentary, Toronto Inside Out Film Festival)Children of the Crocodile is a powerful account of East Timor’s independence struggle, told through the stories of two young women. Cidalia and Elizabeth were babies when their families fled East Timor in 1975. Although they grew up in Australia, they devoted their lives to the fight for freedom in their homeland. The film follows them through two amazing years - from the joy of voting for independence in August 1999, to rage at the destruction that follows, and into a new time of hope. East Timor's independence fulfils their dream, but also brings hard choices. Should they go back to their country? How can they contribute? It tells a universal story about ideals, identity, and the strength of culture.
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Reviews
“a touching and poignant account of the recent history of East Timor. Highly recommended.”
VISUAL ANTHROPOLOGY REVIEW, USA
Vol. 21, Number 1 and 2, Spring/Fall 2005, Andrea K. Molnar“a moving picture of how history shapes the life struggles of two women.”
NWSA JOURNAL, USA
(National Women’s Studies Association), Vol. 16, No. 3, Fall 2004, Ruby C. Tapia.
https://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/nwsa_journal/v016/16.3tapia.html
“captures vividly the dilemmas of identity which face migrants and refugees in so many parts of the world.”
AEMS REVIEW, USA
(Asian Educational Media Service), Vol. 7, No. 1, Winter 2004, Clark Cunningham.
“In learning about the lives of these two young women, we also learn the history of Timor, its culture and its people. Well filmed and edited, this film would make a great addition to any cultural studies collection. Highly recommended.”“Fascinating and moving, shows the struggle of a country from a time of turmoil to one of rebirth”
EDUCATIONAL MEDIA REVIEWS ONLINE
http://libweb.lib.buffalo.edu/emro/emroDetail.asp?Number=1178, Kathleen L. Sacco
ALTAR MAGAZINE, USA
2003
“With great honesty, humour and intelligence, the film provides insight into East Timor’s situation today.”
CENTER FOR MEDIA, CULTURE & HISTORY
New York University, Faye Ginsburg.
“ a moving, passionate and richly rewarding film… It’s obvious that a trust has been developed between the film-maker and the two women which allows the viewer to gain an intimate insight into their personal lives.”
AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION
Issue 30, Triumph of the Spirit, Peter Wilshire
http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=819501801844532;res=IELHSS
“a fascinating documentary… that weaves together home movies, news clips and original footage”
THE AGE GREEN GUIDE
16 May 2002, Talking Point, Sian Prior
“a documentary that does not shy away from raw and intimate close-ups… an important film that has particular resonance in today’s political climate”
SCOPOFILE
Issue 20, May/June 2002, Conversations About the Crocodile, Naomi Mulholland
“An evocative journey… This is a genuine, courageous, warm tale worth seeing.”
VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS NEWSLETTER
2002, Lindy Sterling
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Screenings and Awards
TELEVISIONSBS TV – Primetime Australian national broadcast May 20, 2002 (East Timor’s Independence Day) + two additional screeningsCINEMACINEMA NOVA, Melbourne, AustraliaCINEMA DE BALIE, Amsterdam, Netherlands MUSEUMSNATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIA, Sydney, AustraliaAWARDSAUDIENCE AWARD, BEST DOCUMENTARY – Inside Out Festival, TorontoAWARD OF EXCELLENCE - Through Her Eyes Film Festival, Berkeley, California |
FESTIVALSAUSFEST VIDEO FESTIVAL, Brisbane, AustraliaCINEMA PARADISE, Hawaii, USA IMMAGINARIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, Bologna, Italy THROUGH HER EYES FILM FESTIVAL, California, USA NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL, California, USA INSIDE OUT LESBIAN & GAY FILM FESTIVAL, Toronto, Canada NEW YORK ASIAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL, New York, USA PARIS LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL, Paris, France DOCOMANIA, New Plymouth, New Zealand WESTGARTH FILM FESTIVAL, Melbourne, Australia DOC NEW ZEALAND, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch & Dunedin, New Zealand MALAYSIAN VIDEO AWARDS FESTIVAL, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
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Sales
This award winning documentary is available to purchase on DVD (PAL or NTSC) from:
Australia and World Sales Fruitful Films Pty Ltd PO Box 400, Emerald VIC 3782 Australia Tel: +613 5968 6209 Mob: +613 487 402 999 Email: Marsha Emerman |
North America Sales Women Make Movies 462 Broadway, 5th Floor. New York, NY 10013 Tel 212.925.0606 x306 | Fax 212.925.2052 Email: orders@wmm.com Web: Women Make Movies |
- Message from Xanana Gusmao, East Timor’s Prime Minister, 2005
- Building a New Nation – update on East Timor from Elizabeth Exposto, 2005
- Black Bullion – short film on Timor Sea oil dispute, by Jen Hughes
- Ways to Support East Timor
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