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Balibo (2009)

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All Critics
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Average Rating: 7.9/10
Reviews Counted: 11
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 0

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Release Date: Jul 24, 2009 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.8/5
User Ratings: 491

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Movie Info

In the aftermath of the shooting of five Australian journalists in East Timor, a curious sixth named Roger East (Anthony LaPaglia) is convinced by charismatic acquaintance Jose Romas-Horta, a man who would prove to have a bright and influential future, to investigate the incident. Balibo is a political thriller and true-crime story based on 1975's Balibo Five executions and an ensuing 30-year cover-up. ~ Jonathan Frey, Rovi

Unrated, 1 hr. 30 min.

Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

Directed By: Rebecca Yeldham

In Theaters: Jul 24, 2009 Wide

Footprint Films

Cast

Anthony LaPaglia
Roger East
Oscar Isaac
José Ramos-Horta, Jos�...
Damon Gameau
Greg Shackleton
Gyton Grantley
Gary Cunningham
Mark Leonard Winter
Tony Stewart
Nathan Phillips
Malcolm Rennie

Critic Reviews for Balibo

All Critics (12) | Fresh (11) | Rotten (0)

BALIBO is a gritty political thriller, based on a hardly spoken international incident which held strong repercussions in Australia, and is sure to hit a raw nerve upon its release.

August 3, 2010 Full Review Source: Matt's Movie Reviews

| Comment

Matthew Pejkovic

Matt's Movie Reviews

...intriguing but problematic melodrama

June 11, 2010 Full Review Source: PopMatters

| Comment

Chris Barsanti

PopMatters

This is as good as cinema gets - the story may be devastating but as a cinematic accomplishment, Balibo is something to be celebrated.

March 25, 2010 Full Review Source: Cinema Autopsy

| Comment

Thomas Caldwell

Cinema Autopsy

Despite Balibo's structural instability, Connolly still manages to find plenty of poignancy and to gather an emotional head of steam

March 20, 2010 Full Review Source: Eye for Film

| Comment

Amber Wilkinson

Eye for Film

Robert Connolly has made a brave and deeply disturbing film.

August 19, 2009 Full Review Source: The Australian

| Comment

Evan Williams

The Australian

Balibo is a strong film, and Connolly's best to date. Despite the plaudits of many of my fellow critics, it's not a perfect film...but it's a bloody good one.

August 14, 2009 Full Review Source: MovieTime, ABC Radio National

| Comment

Julie Rigg

MovieTime, ABC Radio National

Despite [the] drawbacks, Balibo still tells a very powerful story, one that needed to be told.

August 12, 2009 Full Review Source: At the Movies (Australia)

| Comment

David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

An incredible film with a well crafted script, beautiful cinematography and a touching story that exposes a deep anger and sorrow.

August 12, 2009 Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia)

| Comment

Erin Free

FILMINK (Australia)

What makes Balibo essential viewing is that, on top of its past and present political significance, it also happens to be one of the most captivating and thrilling films in years.

August 10, 2009 Full Review Source: Moviedex

| Comment

Anders Wotzke

Moviedex

The occasional misstep does not blunt this gripping thriller's impact. Or its fierce anger.

August 10, 2009 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine Australasia

| Comment

Anthony Morris

Empire Magazine Australasia

The worst cliche in Australian cinema is that we have so many Australian stories that need to be told. Normally it is tripe. In the case of Balibo, they actually found one.

August 9, 2009 Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald

| Comment (1)

Giles Hardie

Sydney Morning Herald

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Audience Reviews for Balibo

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It is very hard to criticize a movie with such a sensitive subject but I am here to give an honest opinion about movie quality not a statement for a political satisfaction of the governments. Three quarters of the movie are so slow that few people left the cinema, and the director was hoping that with the last quarter

August 15, 2009

Panta Oz

Super Reviewer

This truly is inspired filmmaking! Australian writer/director Robert Connoly's political thriller Balibo sheds light on war crimes that have been covered up for more than 30 years. Boldly political and unashamedly provocative, it tells the true story of 1975 and the murder of five Australian journalists in East Timor

September 19, 2009

Cinema Films

Super Reviewer

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