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PUNITIVE DAMAGE

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

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Kamal Bamadhaj, a 20-year old New Zealander and student activist was shot dead during the Dili massacre in East Timor in 1991 by the Indonesian military that had occupied the small former Portuguese colony since 1975. Over 270 young Timorese were also killed that day. 

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Punitive Damage tells the story of Kamal’s mother, Helen Todd who brought a lawsuit against an Indonesian general responsible for the slaughter. She was determined to seek justice not just for her own terrible loss but also on behalf of the Timorese who also lost their children. The Dili massacre became a turning point in the history of East Timor, which finally gained its independence from Indonesia in 1999 – the year the film was released. 

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“**** Restrained and unostentatious, this is a well-crafted memorial to a life well-lived and a testament to the quiet courage of both mother and son. It deserves a wide audience.” 

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– Peter Calder, NZ Herald 

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DVD available. Contact for more information.  

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PRODUCERS

Annie Goldson & Gaylene Preston 

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DIRECTOR 

Annie Goldson

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DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Leon Narbey 

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EDITOR 

John Gilbert 

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COMPOSER

Stephen Taberner 

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ARCHIVIST

Max Stahl 

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LINE PRODUCER

Catherine Madigan 

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SOUND

Ken Saville 

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​​​DATE

1999

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AWARDS

Winner, Best Documentary - Cinemanila Philippines Intern'l Film Festival 2000 
Bronze Plaque - 48th Annual Columbus Intern'l film & Video Festival 
USA Golden Eagle - Cine 2000 
A Pass Award - National Council on Crime and Delinquency 
Finalist, Best Feature - International Documentary Awards 2000 
Honourable Mention - International Women’s Film Festival 2000 
Golden Gate Award - San Francisco International Film Festival 2000 
Highly Commended - New Zealand Media Peace Awards 1999 
Winner, Audience Award - Sydney International Film Festival 1999 
Winner, Medianet Award - Munich Film Festival 1999 
Finalist - New Zealand Nokia Film Awards 1999 

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FESTIVALS

International Documentary Festival Amsterdam 
Encrontos Film Festival, Portugal 
Chicago International Film Festival 
Hawaii International Film Festival 
Hotdocs 
Valencia International Film Festival 
Locarno International Film Festival 
Rocky Mountain Women’s Festival 
Melbourne International Film Festival 
Palm Springs International Film Festival 
Singapore International Film Festival 
Hong Kong International Film Festival 
Jakarta International Film Festival 
Rencontres Inter’les du Documentaire de Montréal 
Turin Womens International Film Festival 
Women in the Director’s Chair 
DocAviv 

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