My name is Thois Wanma, I am from Papua. Papuan Voices, Sorong Region.
My name is Immanuel. I am from Papuan Voices, Keerom Region.
What is Papuan Voices?
Papuan Voices is a community of documentary film makers in Papua
Discussing the culture, environment, social life, among others in Papua
Papuan Voices usually produces short documentary films.
What issues are being raised by the community?
Our films discuss issues like local economy and womens' rights
among others.
Our films raise a lot of existing problems and do not look for newer problems.
Also, they can be informative and didactive for the Papuan people themselves
For example, making films about Merauke, can be informative to friends in Sorong.
Because most Papuans don't know what's happening in the other districts.
Educational films on how people in Sorong deal with the forest and environment,
or in Merauke, such as large-scale plantation investments starting.
Watching the films, at least people in Sorong or Manokwari know.
Tell me about the other initiatives of PV.
We screen the films we produced, on campus Usually in dormitories in Jayapura
The Papuan Voices communities in other regions also have screenings & discussions
That's what Papuan Voices does.
How about the social conditions in Papua?
We do talk about the conditions in Papua. There are numerous problems.
Such as livelihood & women's rights This year there are newer challenges
Through PV films, these problems are featured and discussed among the audience
These films are produced with a focus to discuss, respond, and solve these issues.
There are many bigger issues in the society
For one, there is a large investment on oil palm plantations coming in
The native people in the area do not know What a palm oil company is & what it does
What are usually the problems faced by the PV Community?
The use of language affects film productions.
For example, the film I made in Mayalibit Bay featuring the native tribe of Maya.
During filming, they spoke in their native language.
So we faced difficulties in shooting and editing pictures.
Because I did not understand what they were talking about.
So, we had to find people to translate it into Indonesian and English too.
I traveled from the Keerom Regency and that was a long journey.
For shorter distances even it can take up long. Local transport is also expensive.
Why are you interested in Papuan Voices?
I am interested in PV because of my concerns for Papuans as a whole.
Papua is still lagging behind, so I want to share with people outside the region
Who think that Papua is rich in gold and other minerals. It is not like that.
When I went to see by myself, Papuans were still left behind, faced with problems.
That made me feel sad, That's why I want to tell other people
That Papua does not need anything from the government, except love and care.
I am interested in PV because I think I know how to solve these problems
problems that persist for long; and as a young Papuan, I want to do what I can.
So when EngageMedia started the training to help set up PV, it helped me too.
We produce films with a purpose, to be watched and understood by people.