Agito Yacobson Sitepu, Yogya – The Social Movement Institute (SMI) held a screening and discussion of the documentary film "Pesta Babi: Colonialism in Our Time" at the Papuan student dormitory in Yogyakarta, Central Java, on Friday evening April 17.
This investigative film by the New Indonesia Expedition team examines the chaotic nature of the national strategic projects (PSN) in Papua.
The post-screening discussion featured competent speakers, including the film's director Dandhy Laksono, Made Supriatma (ISEAS Researcher) and Dimibeu Haluk from the Papuan Student Alliance (AMP).
The film "Pesta Babi" (Pig Festival) chronicles the struggle of indigenous Papuans to defend their ancestral lands and forests from the threat of food security projects, or food estates. Furthermore, the documentary exposes the involvement of business circles and palm oil conglomerates in this national program.
Breaking taboos and raising public awareness
Laksono said he hopes this work will open the eyes of the wider public to the horrific events taking place in Papua. He believes the reality in Papua should no longer escape the attention of the Indonesian public.
"With this film, hopefully, we can be moved to have a deeper discussion about Papua. Hopefully, things that have been considered taboo will spark us to ask questions about the events taking place there", Laksono said during the discussion session.
Connection between agrarian issues and militarism
Laksono added that this film not only addresses food security but also provides education about renewable energy. This documentary boldly exposes the increasingly massive military operations and the ongoing agrarian conflict.
"The film's approach is diverse. There is a team specifically focused on agrarian issues, human rights, the military, and so forth. All of this is captured as a unified connection in this film, Pesta Babi", continued the investigative journalist.
Through the film screening, discussion participants were invited to reflect on the meaning of development, which often sacrifices the basic rights of indigenous peoples and forest ecosystems, which are the lungs of the world.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Nobar Film 'Pesta Babi' di Asrama Papua Yogyakarta: Dandhy Laksono Bongkar Realita PSN Food Estate".]
