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Joe Leahy's Neighbours
| Length: | 90 min |
| Released: | 1994 |
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This followup film to First Contact traces the fortunes of Joe Leahy, the mixed-race son of Australian explorer Michael Leahy, in his uneasy relationship with his tribal neighbors. Joe built his coffee plantation on land bought from the Ganiga in the mid 1970s. European educated, raised in the highlands of Papua, freed by his mixed race from the entanglements of tribal obligation, Joe leads a Western lifestyle governed by individualism and the pursuit of affluence.
While Joe may live in Western grandeur, he is still surrounded by his subsistence level Ganiga "neighbors," who never let him forget the original source of his prosperity.
Filmmakers Connolly and Anderson lived for 18 continuous months on the edge of Joe's plantation, in the "no man's land" between Leahy and the Ganiga. Their lively, non-judgmental narrative eloquently captures the conflicting values of tribalism and capitalism.
While Joe may live in Western grandeur, he is still surrounded by his subsistence level Ganiga "neighbors," who never let him forget the original source of his prosperity.
Filmmakers Connolly and Anderson lived for 18 continuous months on the edge of Joe's plantation, in the "no man's land" between Leahy and the Ganiga. Their lively, non-judgmental narrative eloquently captures the conflicting values of tribalism and capitalism.
Member of a series:
• Papua New Guinea trilogy
"It is a movie about . . . the clash between economic individualism and communal values, the narrow line between business growth and exploitation. With enormous skill filmmakers Robin Anderson and Bob Connolly build this gripping story."
‒LA Weekly
"Superb. . . Powerful, important and beautifully constructed."
‒American Anthropologist
"The unrehearsed story unfolds before the eyes of the viewer, providing an example of the remarkable enlightening power that documentary film making can have when it is done sensitively and well. Adapt or die, is the message, delivered with grace and understanding."
‒The New York Times
‒LA Weekly
"Superb. . . Powerful, important and beautifully constructed."
‒American Anthropologist
"The unrehearsed story unfolds before the eyes of the viewer, providing an example of the remarkable enlightening power that documentary film making can have when it is done sensitively and well. Adapt or die, is the message, delivered with grace and understanding."
‒The New York Times
Grand Prix, Cinema du Reel, 1989
Earthwatch Award, 1989
Award for Excellence, American Anthropological Association, 1989
Basil Wright Prize, Royal Anthropological Institute, 1989
Earthwatch Award, 1989
Award for Excellence, American Anthropological Association, 1989
Basil Wright Prize, Royal Anthropological Institute, 1989
