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.

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO PURCHASE THIS AWARD-WINNING FILM


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Press Kit
Study Guide


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Media 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.

“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 the process of 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 additional to any cultural studies collection.  Highly recommended.”
EDUCATIONAL MEDIA REVIEWS ONLINE
http://libweb.lib.buffalo.edu/emro/emroDetail.asp?Number=1178, Kathleen L. Sacco

“Fascinating and moving, shows the struggle of a country from a time of turmoil to one of rebirth”
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

 “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

TELEVISION

SBS TV – Primetime Australian national broadcast May 20, 2002 (East Timor’s Independence Day) + two additional screenings

CINEMA

CINEMA NOVA, Melbourne, Australia
CINEMA DE BALIE, Amsterdam, Netherlands

MUSEUMS

NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIA, Sydney, Australia

AWARDS

AUDIENCE AWARD, BEST DOCUMENTARY – Inside Out Festival, Toronto
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE - Through Her Eyes Film Festival, Berkeley, California

FESTIVALS   

AUSFEST VIDEO FESTIVAL, Brisbane, Australia    
CINEMA 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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Purchase on DVD or VHS

This award winning documentary is available to purchase on DVD or VHS (PAL) from:

Australia/New Zealand educational and non-theatrical
FrontRow Video Distribution
PO Box 80, West Brunswick  VIC  3055  Australia
Tel: +61 3 9387 3047  Fax: 61 3 9387 0588
Email: frontrowvideo@frontrowvideo.com.au
Web:   FrontRow Video Distribution

All Other Sales – world
Fruitful Films Pty Ltd
PO Box 2424, Fitzroy MC VIC 3065 Australia
Tel:  +61 3 9889 1717
Email:  Marsha Emerman

 North America
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
EXTRAS ON DVD

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