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