Film on Porsea shines in Tokyo

Film on Porsea shines in Tokyo

JAKARTA: A documentary film about the struggle of North
Sumatra villagers against a giant wood pulp company to preserve
their environment drew praise during the 12th Earth Vision Film
Festival in Tokyo recently.

The film, titled Tanah Impian (the Dream Land), was named one
of 10 international films eligible to enter the three-day
festival, which ended on Tuesday. The films was shortlisted by
the jury in October last year.

Other films came from Japan, Australia, Tibet, South Korea,
China and France.

Directed by Tonny Trimarsanto, Tanah Impian tells of the hard-
fought struggle between the people of Porsea and giant pulp
company Toba Pulp Lestari, which was once closed down by the
government for polluting the environment.

The director said he was impressed by the determination of the
Porsea people, who fought for environmental preservation despite
their poverty.

Tanah Impian was jointly produced by the Indonesia Environment
Forum (Walhi), the Norwegian-based Rainforest Foundation and the
Cangkir Kopi production house. -- JP