JP/Agustina Wayansari

The director of Balibo, Robert Connolly, is excited with Indonesians' enthusiasm toward his movie despite its banning by the Film Censorship Board (LSF).

"It's very exciting to know that many Indonesians still want to see the film. I have been blown away by the huge public interest," he said.

Balibo depicts the killing of five foreign journalists by Indonesian soldiers during the invasion of what was then East Timor in 1975.

Connolly said it was very interesting that the ban had created more public demand.

"*The film* is forcing an interesting public discussion about freedom of expression," he added.

He praised Indonesian journalists who defied the ban by screening the film, albeit in front of a meager audience.

"The ban is very disappointing. As a film maker, it is important to me to have *the film* seen by the public, especially in Indonesia *as one of my main targeted audiences*," he said.

Connolly said he expected the board to lift the ban and allow the film to be released and distributed properly. He added his film's purpose was to reveal the truth, to tell the story that had been hidden.

"It is not necessary about Indonesia or attacking Indonesian government," he added.

"It is very critical of Australian government as well. Besides, it is about something that happened in the past, 34 years ago during Suharto's reign... it should be seen as a historical event."

The Australian director felt sorry for organizers of the Jakarta International Film Festival (JIFFest) who had to cancel a public screening of Balibo due to the ban. Connolly said Balibo was well received in East Timor where, because of the low literacy rate, he released a version of the film dubbed in the local Tetun language, rather than using subtitles.

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