My name is Thois Wanma, I am from Papua. Papuan Voices, Sorong Region.
My name is Immanuel. I am from Papuan Voices in Keerom.
What is Papuan Voices?
Papuan Voices is a community of documentary film-makers in Papua
Who feature the culture, social life, environment, among other issues 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 women's rights
among others.
Our films feature our existing struggles
Which can be informative to other Papuans across the regions.
For example, making films on Merauke can be informative to friends in Sorong.
Because most Papuans don't know what's happening in the other districts.
It can tell how people in Sorong address environmental issues
or, that a large-scale plantation investment in Merauke has started.
Watching the films, at least people in Sorong or Manokwari would know
Tell me about the other initiatives of PV.
We screen the produced films on campuses usually in dormitories in Jayapura
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 new challenges
Through PV films, these problems are featured and discussed among the audience
Our films are produced to discuss, respond, and solve these issues.
There are bigger issues in our society
For one, there are large investments 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 usually are the problems faced by the PV Community?
The use of other languages affects film production.
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.
Because I did not understand what they were talking about.
So, we had to find people to translate it into Indonesian and English.
I also traveled from the Keerom Regency and that was a long journey.
Shorter distances can also be longer, and local transport is expensive.
Why are you interested in Papuan Voices?
I am interested in PV because of my concerns for my fellow Papuans.
Papua is still lagging behind, so I want to share stories 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, with many 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 persisted 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 really helped me, too.
We produce films with a purpose, to be watched and understood by people.