Joe Leahy's Neighbours

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 byRobin Anderson
Bob Connolly
Written byRobin Anderson
Bob Connolly
Produced byRobin Anderson
Bob Connolly
StarringJoe Leahy
CinematographyBob Connolly
Edited byRay Thomas
Bob Connolly
Running time
90 minutes
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish

Reception

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Neil 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

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References

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  1. ^ Gilling, Tom (12 April 1989), "Listening in the dark to a clash of cultures", The Sydney Morning Herald
  2. ^ Milliken, Robert (14 April 1989), "A telling image of PNG's social fabric", The Australian Financial Review
  3. ^ Jillet, Neil (3 May 1989), "Great drama in documentary on PNG life", The Age
  4. ^ Lowing, Rob (16 April 1989), "Joe Leahy's Neighbours", The Sun-Herald
  5. ^ Stratton, David (20 April 1989), "Neighbours PNG style", The Sydney Morning Herald
  6. ^ 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.
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