Transcript
TOM PERRY: The reason we decided to make this film in VR (virtual reality) was because it is such an incredibly immersive format of story telling and it is also a very personal format. So for those that are wearing the headsets it is really like it is their own experience, they are transported to a particular location in this case Bougainville. And you know it is also, I mean Bougainville is an incredibly beautiful place and we really wanted to bring that out. You know part of the rationale behind using this format was also because we were, we were certainly trying to get the attention of some of the decision makers. You know politicians, senior bureaucrats to really pay attention to some of the issues of conflict and what it means after the conflict ends for a community. You know what life is like and what some of the challenges are.
KOROI HAWKINS: Right and what are some of those things that you found and are highlighting in your film?
TP: Certainly for the people of Konnou which is the community that are at the centre of the film, when at the end of the Bougainville crisis (1969-1988) there continued to be inter-community conflict which really I guess blew up and you know divided a community. And what the film is really talking about is the importance of opportunity and economic opportunity for people. In the this case for the people of Konnou it is cocoa um so they are now growing cocoa and the key thing is you now have former combatants who are working together. You know and that has really helped to cement the peace in the community and we really wanted to use this format to tell that story.
KH: And you are in Papua New Guinea and you have been showing it around in Port Moresby with the headsets (virtual reality headsets) and you are taking it to Bougainville as well, how is that being received?
TP: Look the initial response here has been absolutely sensational. People are obviously reacting really well to the story because you know it is a story from this part of the world they can really relate to and you know that in itself is a wonderful thing but also certainly the medium. You know this is from what we know this is the first VR film that has been made in Papua New Guinea and it is certainly the first VR film to have been brought to be screened here and people are, you know we have had people reacting in a very powerful way. They are removing the headsets and they have got tears in their eyes you know they really are you know quite literally speechless.
KH: And you are heading to Bougainville I understand and that is coming up at the end of the week?
TP: Correct so we are now off to Bougainville to share the story of the people of Konnou back with the people of Konnou it is wonderful to be able to go back and show this film in the format that it is meant to be shown in. And particularly our two lead characters you know their stories are here and Timothy and Elsie are their names and you know they, spent many weeks with us and really opened up their lives to us and it is such a wonderful thing to be able to go back and share it with them.
KH: What is the aim of all this? What is it you want to achieve with the film?
TP: Certainly internationally the aim is to really draw attention to the issue of life after conflict and the need to invest and commit to programs that will support opportunity and economic opportunity for families. You know here in PNG it is likewise we certainly want to use this as an important tool to build that momentum, the program that we are supporting linked to the film is an agriculture project focused on coffee and cocoa and as many of your listeners would know the opportunity with coffee and cocoa across Papua New Guinea and Bougainville is outstanding it is some of the best cocoa and coffee in the world so it is really about encouraging people to make the most of these opportunities.
