Let's Make a Movie!

Based on recent donations from friends and family in Australia, last week we were able to support an exploratory filming and fact-finding expedition by a local film crew to the Linomoyo region. We hope to be able to produce at least two documentaries; one directed towards giving the local community a new perspective on their environment and dependence on the wetlands, and the second to promote the area to the wider Indonesian and international community. The film crew, consisting of my friends Suprin and Ibe, have already filmed over 50% of interviews and some of the scenery.

Next month is going to be busy for us, as the mining company plans to hold its first meeting in the community (we’re not sure of the date yet), and in a few weeks the year’s most hectic fishing season will commence. As we are entering the dry season in South East Sulawesi, the water level in the wetlands will begin to decrease. Coupled with a recently intense breeding season, the water will be swarming with fish for about four weeks. For this time, around 100 villagers will move to the water’s edge to live in temporary huts and tents, where they will be able to make in excess of four times their standard fishermen’s wage.

Hence, we are planning a large trip soon for filming, further research, attending the company’s meeting and possibly holding our own meeting with villagers.

We anticipate that the amount of funding required to complete the films, from filming on-site to high quality production in Kendari can be broken down as follows:

·         Video camera hire: $112

·         Tapes: $13

·         Generator hire (to be able to charge equipment
because there is no regular power supply): $89

·         Rechargeable batteries: $5

·         Four days car hire: $179

·         Increasing laptop RAM for better production capabilities: $78

·         External 500 GB hard disk: $56

·         Production time and labour: $335

Total costs: $865

·         We are also seeking the donation of a used but recent Apple computer, as this would provide the best production quality and be an invaluable resource to the local film-making community.

(Please note that these costs are estimates, and are based on the exchange rate of AUD1 = IDR8,956, as at 25/08/2011) 

Thanks for your support,

Linda

Small but positive progress

I just got back to Kendari from Jakarta, where I made some contacts at WWF, the Australian Embassy and got lots of inspiration for how to spread the word about what is happening in Tabunggaya and Linomoyo.

Excitingly, we received our first donation from Alice Graham; thanks Alice!!

We have also found out that the mining company will be meeting with the community on the 18th of August, so a group of us will be heading up to Linomoyo soon to observe how the community receives the plans, find out more about when and where the company intends to mine, and to further develop the scope of our project.

Thanks for your support,

Linda