Joe Leahy's Neighbours is a 1989 Australian documentary film, created by Robin Anderson and Bob Connolly, looking at Papua New Guinean business man Joe Leahy and relationship to those around him.[1] It is some ways a sequel to First Contact.[2]
| Joe Leahy's Neighbours | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Robin Anderson Bob Connolly |
| Written by | Robin Anderson Bob Connolly |
| Produced by | Robin Anderson Bob Connolly |
| Starring | Joe Leahy |
| Cinematography | Bob Connolly |
| Edited by | Ray Thomas Bob Connolly |
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
Reception
editNeil Jillet of the Age says "Documentary is a hopelessly inadequate word to describe 'Joe Leahy's Neighbours'. This wonderful film has the dramatic strength of a first-class feature. It is an anthropological tragi-comedy full of conflicts among fascinating characters. It is also a psychological thriller about collectivism v. capitalism, about “primitive” ways v. “sophisticated” ones, that regularly seem about to erupt into violence, possibly murder."[3] The Sun-Heralds Rob Lowing finishes "the slyly witty final images are a summary in themselves and a memorable finishing touch to a film which is both thought provoking and entertaining."[4] Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald' David Stratton says "This beautifully-made 90-minute documentary is an invaluable insight into life in PNG, and a perceptive study of a strange king of colonialism".[5]
Awards
edit- 1989 Australian Film Institute Awards
- Best Documentary - Robin Anderson, Bob Connolly - won[6]
- Best Achievement in Sound in a Non-Feature Film - Robin Anderson - nominated[6]
References
edit- ^ Gilling, Tom (12 April 1989), "Listening in the dark to a clash of cultures", The Sydney Morning Herald
- ^ Milliken, Robert (14 April 1989), "A telling image of PNG's social fabric", The Australian Financial Review
- ^ Jillet, Neil (3 May 1989), "Great drama in documentary on PNG life", The Age
- ^ Lowing, Rob (16 April 1989), "Joe Leahy's Neighbours", The Sun-Herald
- ^ Stratton, David (20 April 1989), "Neighbours PNG style", The Sydney Morning Herald
- ^ a b French, Lisa; Poole, Mark (2009). Shining a Light: 50 Years of the Australian Film Institute. Australian Teachers of Media. p. 257. ISBN 978-1-876467-20-3.