Time

in

Mins:

Secs

Time

out

Mins:

Secs

Scene

Dialogue / Sound

01:30

01:35

Silas Diko felling tree Chainsaw blade c/u

Sync effects

01:35

01:39

Silas cuts out timber wedge

01:39

01:55

Tree falls, Silas runs out of frame

01:55

01:59

Zama v/o: You may think you’re lucky that the contract isn’t signed yet. And now you elders get to review it.

01:59

02:13

IRUREQO TRIBE MEETING Timothy Zama addresses meeting, w/s

Zama: But had this contract been signed back in March you’d all have money for your kids' school fees by now. Even if we agree to sign today, we're still very late.

02:13

02:22

Exterior of meeting house. People look on at meeting, w/s

Rata v/o: But where is our money? We are also descendants of Maqu and Zaito.

02:22

02:30

Outside the meeting house, Rata talks angrily to the gathering, m/s

Rata: The trustees have already received an advance of royalties. Why have you forgotten us? We are also Maqu and Zaito's children.

02:30

02:34

Response from inside: So it gives you a bellyache?

02:34

02:39

Rata: It does. None of us like what’s going on.

02:39

03:03

Zama writes on blackboard, then walks out of frame

Zama: It's very simple.These are our options: A and B. One plus one equals two. Kids' stuff. We should say, "We settle on that option." And all agree.  Otherwise we will fall behind other tribes waiting for logging. And you will never function. You're wasting your time here.

03:03

03:21

Zama bangs his fist on the table as he talks, then takes his seat

Zama: Decision-making is very sensitive. If you put the needle on the record player and you bang it like this... it will jump. It's a sensitive operation.

03:21

03:27

Man leaving meeting, pan to Mary Bea sitting on the ground outside meeting. Fade to black.

Sync effects

03:27

03:38

Fade in title graphic:

Since the Company Came

Beach atmos dissolves to projector sound

03:38

03:45

ARCHIVES (black & white)

Vintage car in Sydney

Film projector sound continues

03:45

03:48

Grandpa and grandchildren

03:48

03:51

Grandson asks question, c/u

03:51

03:55

Archive film caption:

"Grandfather! Are the natives of

the Solomon Islands still cannibals and headhunters?"

03:55

03:57

Grandpa shakes his head, c/u

03:57

04:05

Archive film caption:

"Not all of them, my boy. Through British Protection, Christianity and Commerce, the savages are being taught industry and progress."

04:05

04:09

Globe showing the South Pacific

04:09

04:14

Copra wharf in Solomon Islands

04:14

04:20

Copra sacks lowered into ship

(end b/w images)

Film projector sound ceases

04:20

04:26

Coastal scene

Beach atmos

04:26

04:31

HAFORAI TRIBE MEETING 1

Villagers outside meeting, w/s

Village atmos

04:31

04:35

Chief Mark Lamberi listens to the  introduction to the meeting, c/u

Jack Daniels v/o: The chief has called me up to give you all a brief report

04:35

04:41

Jack Daniels, secretary Haporai Development Corporation

Jack Daniels: about our logging activities, and our future production.

04:41

04:45

Men look on from the shadows of the meeting house, w/s

Jack Daniels v/o: We allocated 28 blocks to Kalena Timber Company to log.

04:45

05:05

Jack Daniels concludes his introduction

Jack Daniels: If production goes ahead very fast, I am telling you all, I would anticipate that all of these blocks are likely to be finished in less than six months. So the Haforai tribe has no new areas ready for logging.

05:05

05:09

Meeting from rear, w/s

Meeting atmos

05:09

05:16

Young man wearing “Los Angeles’ shirt looking on

Chief Mark v/o: I didn’t call this meeting just for my own sake, but for all of us Haforai people.

05:16

05:36

Chief Mark Lamberi c/u

Chief Mark: I have to say that some things just don’t look right. Some deals look a bit shady. As I see it. When it comes to writing and books… I know nothing. But I can see that things look wrong.

05:36

05:43

Chief Mark sits down, w/s

Chief Mark: That's all.

05:43

05:46

Jack Daniels writing at his desk

Zama v/o: I have something to say, Jack.

05:46

05:56

Timothy Zama, chairman of Haporai Development Corporation, responds to the chief’s remarks.

Zama: I think the main intention of today's meeting, is for the chief to claim that Haforai is going down the drain... That is the logging operation.

05:56

06:04

Zama: He's also talking about the HDC, Haforai Development Company. He talks as if he himself gets nothing out of it.

06:04

06:11

Zama (English): I will come to that one later and explain it. Who is getting something out of Haforai and who is not getting something.

06:11

06:17

Chief Mark Lamberi, c/u

Zama v/o: I will tell you all today.

06:17

06:23

LOG WHARF

Logs fall from stack at wharf

Sync effects

06:23

06:28

Loader carries log towards log ship

06:28

06:35

Empty loader exits frame revealing Rendova coastline

Mary Bea v/o (English): We need to stop this logging

06:35

06:44

MARY BEA

Mary Bea talks to camera

Mary (English): before it destroys us. And the women of Lokuru understand this, but the men don't understand. But few men do understand.

06:44

07:18

Mary Bea talks to camera

Mary: So we women are almost a forgotten society among our own people. They tell us women that we're useless for making decisions in any meetings... or talk about land, or talk about what is good or what is bad in the society. Men don't want to hear anything from women, But we women are really... We're actually the centre of life in our village.

07:18

07:25

VANIKUVA VILLAGE SCHOOL

Children play soccer in school yard

Sync effects

07:25

07:33

Children enter classroom

Childrens’ song fades up

07:33

07:38

Class singing

Children singing, rain outside

07:38

07:44

Children pass book to rear of class

Sync effects

07:44

07:49

Teacher holds up cover of story book, c/u

(entire scene in English)

Teacher: OK, what is the title of the book?

Class: "The Tapa Cocoon."

Teacher: "The Tapa Cocoon."

07:49

07:58

Boys look at book as school teacher reads to class

Teacher: Once upon a time on the island of Bellona, an old woman went into the forest to look for a giant tree.

07:58

08:14

Girls look on as school teacher reads story book

Teacher: She laid out the bark on a large flat rock, and then she began to beat it with a heavy stick. She beat it and she beat it until the bark was as soft as fur and as smooth as silk.

08:14

08:27

Girls raise hands

Teacher v/o: Roma?

Roma: "Soft."

Teacher v/o: Soft. What is soft?

Class: Isafa.

Teacher v/o: "Isafa, " good. Next one.

Class: "Cocoon."

Teacher v/o: "Cocoon," good. Next one.

08:27

08:43

Teacher at blackboard

Teacher: Roma?

Roma v/o: "Flat."

Teacher: "Flat." Everyone!

Class v/o: "Flat." Teacher: Again!

Class v/o: "Flat."

Teacher: What is "flat?"

Class v/o: Vedasala.

Teacher: "Vedasala," good. "Vedasala." Teacher: Truly, that's a nice word for it. Thankyou, next one.

08:43

08:47

Classroom, girls m/s

Class: "Forest."

Teacher v/o: "Forest."

08:47

08:57

LOGGING / VILLAGE

Empty log truck drives over bridge

Sync effects

08:57

09:03

Woman washing baby, near coast

09:03

09:09

Woman washing baby c/u

09:09

09:13

ARCHIVES (black & white):

Women & babies outside house

Film projector sound commences

09:13

09:17

Man looks to camera

09:17

09:20

Husband & wife look to camera

09:20

09:24

Woman smiling

09:24

09:28

Archive film caption:

"The scraped coconut makes

a very palatable dish."

09:28

09:31

Woman scraping coconut

09:31

09:35

Archive film caption:

"Fish provide the

greater portion

of food."

09:35

09:42

Canoe & fishing net

09:42

09:46

Cooking fish over fire

09:46

09:52

Women dancing. w/s

09:52

09:54

Women dancing, feet c/u

09:54

09:57

Women dancing. m/s

09:57

10:09

Missionary collecting bracelets

10:09

10:12

Missionary holding bracelets, c/u

(end b/w images)

Film projector sound ceases

10:12

10:18

Logs at wharf

Chief Mark v/o: We Lokuru people,

10:18

10:54

HAFORAI TRIBE MEETING 2

Chief Mark Lamberi addresses meeting, c/u

Chief Mark: have tried business ventures before. One of them was Rio Rendova, Rio Rendova, the shipping business. We started Rio Rendova... But before long it collapsed. I helped to start it, but I saw it collapse. Where did the money go? Where did the ship go? I don't know. I never saw it.

10:54

11:04

Man looking on, m/s

Chief Mark v/o: The farm society. Torangozo farm society. A white man came to help us get it going.

11:04

11:45

Chief Mark Lamberi, c/u

Chief Mark: The white man said, “If you want to make a go of this within a few years you’ll be running cattle right up to the hills. It’ll be a great success,” he said. But where is it? After Mr Smith left, What cattle we had ended up in our bellies. Every storehouse we built…only the foundations remain. The cement slab in Vanikuva village is proof of that. The more I think about it, the more sorry I get.

11:45

12:06

Chief Mark: Haforai Development Company... I was the one who registered it in Honiara city. But I registered nothing. The name is registered but nothing at all has come of it.

12:06

12:14

Man rolling cigarette, m/s

Chief Mark v/o: I myself told Kalena to come. I allowed them to cut our logs.

12:14

12:22

Chief Mark Lamberi, c/u

Chief Mark: So I just hope that logging doesn’t fail us like other ventures have.

12:22

12:28

Chief Mark sits down

Meeting atmos

12:28

12:36

Jack Daniels writing and smoking

Zama v/o: Okay, for the fourth time now, Haforai people want to get rid of the executive.

12:36

12:54

Timothy Zama responds to the chief’s remarks, c/u

Zama: Secretary, write down what I am saying. Four times now you've moved to

sack the executive. Four times! But you've never come up with any solid grounds. Why do you want to remove us?

What is the mistake?

12:54

13:00

Chief Mark looking upset, c/u

Zama v/o: Who did something wrong that you want to replace him? What is wrong?

13:00

13:22

Timothy Zama, c/u

Zama: What wrong has been done by my brother in Honiara, our financial controller, that makes you want to remove him? And what’s wrong with Jack? Tell us right now. Is it a problem that he's short? Don't sit on the sidelines full of jealousy, telling tales. It’s nothing but jealousy!

13:22

14:10

Timothy Zama gesticulating at meeting, w/s

Zama: When you talk about the chairmanship you are talking about me.  OK you tell me. Maybe you’re wrong. Tell me… Why can't you tell me to my face? Tell me! Tell me so I can hear. What exactly have I stolen? Tell us all right now.

At the first meeting, I wrote on the blackboard, explaining the whole financial situation of Haforai tribe. Right here. I explained exactly how much went to royalties, how much went to this, how much went to that. You all sat there, nodding in agreement. After two or three weeks another complaint. If you don't understand how all these things function, you keep yourself quiet, and get out of the way.

14:10

14:19

Man looks on, holds his head

Zama v/o: I'm not afraid to talk. My mother is pure Haforai. I won’t hesitate to speak out. I will talk to you people!

14:19

14:34

Timothy Zama addresses meeting. Chief Mark and secretary Jack Daniels in foreground, w/s

Zama: That logging contract for Haporai land… You say you negotiated it. I tell you old man that’s bullshit. Don't lie to the people. My own mouth, my own hands… I managed it all from A to Z.

14:34

14:37

Timothy Zama, c/u

Zama: I did it. You just waited to sign once the negotiations were done.

14:37

14:46

Timothy Zama, m/s

Zama: I wasn't born of my mother to be chairman. The people elected me to be the chairman.

14:46

14:52

RENDOVA CUP SOCCER MATCH

Crowd scene

Crowd cheering

14:52

14:58

Soccer tackle

Sync effects

14:58

15:03

Goal kick, w/s

15:03

15:05

Players running

15:05

15:16

Players after match

Zama v/o: Everyone go back. Be quiet. You over there, shut your mouth.

15:12

15:15

Zama shouting through megaphone

Sync effects

15:16

15:22

Dreadlocked man in crowd

Zama v/o: May I now announce with great, great pleasure

15:22

15:34

Timothy Zama directs the trophy presentation via megaphone

Zama: the winners of the Rendova Cup  the logging company team from Kenelo. Come and shake hands & take your cup.

15:34

15:52

Players receive cup

Zama v/o: Shake hands. Give them another clap! Let’s also thank the company for clearing the playing field.

15:52

16:07

ARCHIVES (black & white)

Copra recruits in row boat

Film projector sound commences

16:07

16:15

Archive film caption:

"In 1905 Lever Bros purchased large areas of land for

plantations and thus began

the training of the natives

and the commercial devel-

opment of the Solomons."

16:15

16:21

Busy wharf, cranes

16:21

16:26

Colonials inspect copra recruits

16:26

16:32

Archive film caption:

"Those who pass sign, by touching a pencil held

by the magistrate, for

two years' service."

16:32

16:42

Recruits touch pencil

16:42

16:44

Grandpa & grandchildren, Sydney

16:44

16:50

Archive film caption:

“Thus my dears, are the

natives recruited for

service on the wonderful

plantations of Lever Bros.”

16:50

16:56

Workers clear forest

16:56

16:59

Workers fell tree

16:59

17:02

Workers split coconuts

(end b/w images)

Film projector sound ceases

17:02

17:18

Truck drives past stacked logs

Sync effects, dissolve into:

17:12

17:18

Jack Daniels v/o: The present company that is operating on Rendova Island is Kalena Timber Company.

17:18

17:38

JACK DANIELS

Jack Daniels talks to camera, m/s

Jack Daniels (English): Originally it was an Australian company, and it was that Australian company that did the negotiation with the landowners. And if I could remember very well, it was in the year 1991 that the company was sold out to a Malaysian logging company. And the present operator is a Malaysian logging company.

17:38

18:00

Jack Daniels talks to camera, c/u

Jack: I benefit personally from the company because I am an employee, so I get my benefits out of my salary and a couple of times time me have problems, I have to see the company over there to lend me some very free arrangements and assistance to me personally.

18:00

18:37

Jack Daniels talks to camera, m/s

Jack: The truth is every place where logging goes there must be effects. The effects on the environment that I have seen so far I should say honestly that logging damages the environment. Because you see the rivers they are... were once crystal clear, they are now muddy. And as well as the sea. You see it stopped rain-ing so any moment from now we will see the sea turning into milk again. So those are some impacts that I have seen on the environment. And there are many more.

18:37

19:20

Jack Daniels talks to camera, c/u

Jack: The real people to be blamed are the people's government, because they issue licenses for the loggers to come in. There may be other ways of getting money for the country. There are many ways I think. Logging is one of them but it's very destructive. So then the company or the government coming up again and say, 'OK we put up a policy of sustainable development,' But if you go in the bush now there is no sustainable development there. So government just make policies, and then the next day, the government itself breaches what it sets up for landowners... I mean for the people. So that is my personal view.

19:20

19:27

KATY COLLECTING MOLLUSCS

Cowrie shell, e/c/u

Coastal atmos

19:27

19:34

Katy collecting molluscs, w/s

Sync effects

19:34

19:38

Katy prying mollusc from rock, c/u

19:38

19:53

Katy places molluscs into basket

Katy Soapi: Once you disturb them you have to get them as quickly as you can because they can stick very strongly to the rock.

19:53

19:57

Mollusc on rock shelf, c/u

Coastal atmos, dissolves to:

19:57

20:05

Boy collecting shells w/s

Katy v/o: Attitudes towards land are changing.

20:05

20:28

KATY SOAPI

Katy Soapi talks to camera, m/s

Katy: People tend to think they don't get much out of the land when in fact they rely on land for gardens, for all they need. Food, water... Everything comes from the land. But they don't actually see money coming out of it, so they don't think they benefit from their land or their forest.

20:28

20:59

Katy: These days, if somebody goes fishing… The family next door may catch some but not offer you any. They'll keep the whole catch for themselves. But before, if somebody went fishing, he'd come back and bake the fish and cut it up, and from one end of the village to the other, he'd give 3 or 4 parcels to each family. That's how life was in the past sharing and looking after each other's welfare.

20:59

21:44

Katy: A man inherits land through his mother. So now everybody argues about who was born of a man, and who was born of a woman of the tribe. As someone born to a woman has more rights to the land they just tell a person born to of a man, "You have no power here. You're from a different tribe." But these people are related through blood.

But the company has changed things. People don't want to recognise anyone. They just care about who has more power over certain land and who has more power over some other land. That's the case now in the village.

21:44

21:55

Village scene

Village atmos

21:55

22:01

HAFORAI TRIBE MEETING 3

Chief Mark c/u

Zama v/o: Now I will come to the post of chief. You, we've already given you an aluminium dinghy.

22:01

22:42

Timothy Zama talks to meeting, m/s

Zama: The one you run around in. We gave you an outboard motor, 25 horsepower, so that you can get about. Then you went to Honiara city and you accepted a mini bus. Again in Honiara KTC gave you $16,000 in rent. You have also received all kinds of allowances,

since December... a total of $30,000. $1000 per month is what you’re getting. To be the chief of the people you must be seen to be fair. Well, do you treat your people well? Who else has got a bus?

22:42

22:58

Chief Mark nervously shuffles his papers

Zama v/o: If you're truly the chief, you should look after us. Don't treat us badly, old man. You should take care of us, look after us. Let me read some more... The total value of goods you received...

22:58

23:03

Chief Mark, c/u. Pan to Zama:

Zama v/o: is $310,127 and 17 cents. Everything is in this book.

23:03

23:11

Timothy Zama talks to meeting, c/u

Zama: You say you want an audit of Haforai money. Why? Do you want to get in trouble yourself? Because your own sins will be exposed.

23:11

23:19

Chief Mark, c/u

Zama v/o: I want the whole tribe to hear everything you’re hiding, and make your decision today... which direction you want Haforai tribe to go.

23:19

23:31

LOG WHARF

Log loader at night time

Sync effects

23:31

23:36

VIDEO NIGHT

Boy’s face in light of video screen

Sync effects

23:36

23:41

Children watching video, w/s

23:41

23:43

Boy watching video, e/c/u

23:43

23:56

Video screen

Dialogue (all in English):

Man: "So how come you're not watching the Oscars tonight?"

Shopkeeper: "The Oscars?"

Man: "Yeah, the oscars."

Shopkeeper: "I hate the Oscars."

Man: "You're not having a good time, huh?"

Shopkeeper: "Who needs the god damn movies anyway?"

23:56

23:59

Children watch video, from rear

Dialogue:

Shopkeeper: "I get a show in hear every single night."

Man: "Yeah!"

23:59

24:06

Video screen

Dialogue:

Shopkeeper: "You got horror, sex, freaks, violence... Holy shit."

Thug: "Do you rememeber me Vuiko?"

24:06

24:19

Boy watching video flinches at sound of gunshot, c/u

Dialogue:

Thug: "You know what I want. Go ahead. Move! Move it."

Shopkeeper v/o: "I've got half a mind to get out there and..." (loud gunshot)

24:19

24:26

Moonrise behind tree

Dialogue:

Thug: "Now you only got half a mind."

24:26

24:30

Palm trees and reef

Sync effects

24:30

24:36

LOGGING

Silas Diko prepares log for snigging

Sync effects

24:36

24:45

Bulldozer drags log

Sync effects, dissolve into

24:45

24:47

Mary Bea v/o: It's a good idea for people to speak out

24:47

25:03

MARY BEA & VILLAGE WOMEN

Mary Bea talks to camera

Mary Bea: but something's wrong with us Solomon Islanders. We're too afraid to speak out. Men, especially, are afraid to speak out against men. So as women, we should speak out on behalf of men too.

25:03

25:12

Seruvae Matthew amongst group of women, w/s

Seruvae: My name is Seruvae. I want to talk about this company that's come. On behalf of us women.

25:12

25:37

Seruvae Matthew talks to camera, m/s

Seruvae: Never mind that we get money from logging, I don't worry about money because I never lived on money in the past. It’s only since logging has come that I’ve seen money. When I lived with my mother on our land, money didn't matter. I never worried about money. I'm concerned about my land. I'm concerned about my garden, the ground my mother left me.

25:37

26:06

Seruvae Matthew talks to camera, c/u

Seruvae: People who support logging say, "But it’s good for us. We’ll get a road system. You can load your produce and bring it down on a truck." But we don't need trucks to carry anything for us. Our worry is land. That's all that concerns us.

26:06

26:10

Baby in mother’s arms, c/u

Village atmos

26:10

26:35

Duka Pita talks to camera, m/s

Duka: My name's Duka, I'm unhappy about the company... that it has come here. Now we see a lot of forest animals because the trees were bulldozed. They’re forced to come into our gardens. Birds and animals are ruining our gardens. That is why we don't want the company here. Thank you.

26:35

26:49

Seruvae Matthew talks to camera, c/u

Seruvae:  If I complain to the KTC manager he'd just refer me to the men who like the company...

"They still want us to go ahead."

That's all he would say.

26:49

26:59

Kids jump off rock

Sync effects

26:59

27:09

ARCHIVES (black & white)

Kids playing in sea

Film projector sound commences

27:09

27:14

Worker filling copra sack

27:14

27:19

Archive film caption:

"All is hustle and bustle

on the arrival of an

oversea vessel for a

consignment of copra."

27:19

27:24

Ship approaches coconut plantation

27:24

27:33

Workers carry copra sacks to ship

27:33

27:39

Archive film caption:

"On the completion of two

years service the Company arrange for the return of

the "Boys" to their parents

and tribes."

27:39

27:43

Workers climb out of boat

27:43

Worker greets parents

(end b/w images)

Film projector sound ceases

27:51

27:56

LOGGING / SILAS DIKO

Log ship approaches w/s

Sync effects

27:56

28:01

Silas sharpens chainsaw

28:01

28:07

Silas sharpens chainsaw, tilt to face

28:07

28:12

Forest scene

Silas v/o: For six months now

28:12

28:50

Silas Diko talks to camera

Silas: I've worked for this company. Actually, we don't get a fortnightly wage. It's contract work, so we must take our logs down to the wharf. They have to be scaled up before we get our money. We get very little money. But it does help us to look after our families and ourselves.

28:50

29:29

Silas: Of course I cut down trees, working as a logger but I still think about the future too. I think it's better that we don't destroy our forests. Instead of accepting big logging companies… Asian companies, we should have small mills and cut the timber ourselves, for export and for development for ourselves. That's what I think. 

29:29

29:37

Silas cutting tree with chainsaw

Sync effects

29:37

29:40

HAFORAI TRIBE MEETING 4

Tamana Aseri talks at meeting, c/u

Tamana Aseri: Those who should benefit. From this resource, don't benefit.

29:40

30:07

Tamana talks at meeting, m/s

Tamana: I propose that we leave the executive in place, but you men must do what’s needed to stop these suspicions, to stop us having to raise all

these questions. What’s needed are proper financial statements and reports. Let us all see just how our company operates. To put an end to all these questions.

30:07

30:14

People outside meeting

Zama v/o: Under my chairmanship, the sum in the Haforai account

30:14

30:23

Timothy Zama talks at meeting.

Jack Daniels and Chief Mark in foreground, w/s

Zama: Now stands at $708,000 and no cents. If you want a ship, tomorrow I'll buy a ship. What is it that you say is wrong?

30:23

30:29

Timothy Zama talks at meeting, m/s

Zama: Who says Haforai will die tomorrow? Anyone?

30:29

30:37

Boy staring at meeting

Zama v/o: You have very limited information. And don't teach the people wrong information.

30:37

30:57

Timothy Zama talks at meeting, m/s

Zama: I don't want an outsider to come and lead my tribe. No way! You’ll get nothing but lies. You're confused enough as it is. You are like cripples on crutches, and you'll only get more confused. All you outsiders should go back to where you came from.

30:57

31:02

Man v/o: Zama's father wants to speak.

31:02

31:09

Zama's father addresses meeting from outside, w/s

Zama's father: I don't have much to say but my son has said a lot. Now I ask him to calm down a bit.

31:09

31:36

Zama's father addresses meeting, m/s

Zama's father: This behaviour isn't part of our culture. But it's something that comes from somewhere else. Think seriously about this... The company is not our brother. The company hands out thousands of dollars but it is not our brother or our sister. It has only just arrived here. Be careful Haforai, don't break about this very nice money.

31:36

31:49

Zama's father addresses meeting, c/u

Zama's father: Don't let KTC divide us. We should behave according to our customs, And not be spoiled by this money or this development.

31:49

31:51

Zama’s father returns to his seat

Zama's father: Thankyou, chairman.

31:51

31:56

Jack Daniels v/o: Thankyou very much.

31:56

32:04

LOGGING

Bulldozer drives through forest

Sync effects

32:04

32:12

MARY BEA

Mary Bea talking to women in village

Mary v/o (English): To us women, logging is destruction and pollution.

32:12

32:36

Mary Bea talks to camera

Mary: We're affected by the pollution in the sea because we collect seaweed to feed to our children. We go fishing too, to feed our children. But all our fishing grounds now, after logging, we don't have enough fish.

32:36

32:41

Torofie River, silt underwater

River atmos

32:41

32:46

Torofie River, looking downstream

32:46

32:52

River mouth and Tetepare Island

Mary v/o: Tetepare island is a very innocent island. It's our stand-by land.

32:52

33:04

Mary Bea talks to camera

Mary: Well Rendova is being spoiled now and where can we go? We have Tetepare there left, the only place left for us... for everything that we need.

33:04

33:08

TETEPARE / JONATHAN SUKA

Mathias Dally driving canoe

Sync effects, dissolve to:

33:08

33:22

Canoe, view towards Tetepare

Jonathan Suka v/o: On Tetepare Island there live many spirits. "Island of Spirits" my father used to say.

33:22

33:44

Jonathan Suka talks to camera in his village

Jonathan Suka: My father was descended from Tetepare, So he knew all about the Tetepare culture. He would take me to Tetepare and show me sacred places and tell me about old customs. "These you must treasure," That's what he said to me.

33:44

33:49

Coast of Tetepare from moving canoe

Jonathan v/o: Tetepare people deserted the island because of betrayal, deceit and infighting.

33:49

34:30

Jonathan Suka talks to camera

Jonathan:  I don't know how long ago they left. But I think seven generations have gone by. Since the time of Nidu, to Gisa, Gisa to Nokala, Nokala to me, me to Maurini, Maurini to Lizabeti, Lizabeti to Alisi. So that makes seven. So it may be 170 years since they left. That's what I think.

34:30

34:47

Rocky coast from stationary canoe

Jonathan v/o: They left behind their traditional money… Their stone money. The things they left behind are still there… in the bush or in the ruins of villages. It’s said there are even things hidden in caves.

34:47

35:04

Dogs jump out of canoe

Sync effects

35:04

35:09

Canoe dragged ashore

35:09

35:14

Canoe dragged up rock shelf

35:14

35:21

TETEPARE / MATHIAS DALLY

Mathias Dally walking in forest

Sync effects, forest atmos

35:21

35:35

Mathias and Matthew with dogs

35:35

35:50

Pan across tree trunk and roots

35:50

36:10

Mathias talks to camera, m/s

Mathias: I must explain If a white person or even someone from Rendova comes here for the first time, I have to tell the spirits, "Don't harm this person, because I brought this person here. "Keep an eye on them but let them stay with us."

36:10

36:22

Forest stream, tilt up to canopy

Distant sounds of pig hunt

36:22

36:28

Mathias whistling for dogs, c/u

Sync effects

36:28

36:45

Mathias and Matthew carry small pigs cross stream, w/s

36:45

37:05

Mathias talks to camera, w/s

Mathias: We come here to hunt pigs, possums, coconut crabs, eels… and many more things that are available here. Lots of bush foods… but it is forbidden to harm the iguana. We must let them be because they’re the people of Tetepare.

37:05

37:20

Iguana climbing tree, m/s

Forest atmos

37:20

37:30

Mathias talks to camera, w/s

Mathias: They are not really spirits, we say that they are people. Even old Jonathan will tell you that. We believe iguanas are the people of this island.

37:30

37:52

Lorimer lands fish into canoe

Sync effects

37:52

38:01

Mathias catches crab in lagoon

Sync effects, dissolve to:

Mathias v/o: All the islands are starting to be spoiled.

38:01

38:14

Mathias talks to camera, m/s

Mathias: There is only one Tetepare and if we preserve it, it will remain like it is today. People will really value this virgin island when all others are ruined.

38:14

38:18

Mathias jumps from tree into river

Sync effects

38:18

38:22

Mathias surfacing

38:22

38:25

Fish cooking over fire, c/u

38:25

38:29

Shells cooking on fire, e/c/u

38:25

38:41

Katy Soapi cooking fish in fire

Mathias v/o: Every six months a person may get $25… the lucky ones $100.

38:41

38:56

Mathias talks to camera, w/s

Mathias: When I receive royalties, I go to the store and blow it all. I buy clothes, canned food. When the royalties are gone, they're gone. Everything is wasted.

38:56

39:38

Mathias talks to camera, w/s

Mathias: Because we didn’t see money before… We rarely saw a lot of money. The bit of money we now get they call "royalty", but it’s only fit to be called "poverty". They just give us rubbish.

It's not that we're unaware of that. We understand, We realise what's going on. We know how little we’re getting out of it. And our leaders, those clever people amongst us on Rendova, they know too. I don't want this kind of thing to happen to us again.

39:38

39:41

Palm leaves covering fish

Sync effects, forest atmos

39:41

39:46

Matthew wraps fish in palm leaf w/s

39:46

39:50

Matthew wraps fish, c/u

39:50

39:58

Matthew wraps fish e/c/u

39:58

40:00

Matthew turns wrapped fish over

40:00

40:08

Man looks on

40:08

40:13

Moving stones out of fireplace

40:13

40:18

Passing fish to motu

40:18

40:25

Covering fish with stones

40:25

40:27

Mathias v/o: It seems that most people like to work.

40:27

40:51

Mathias talks to camera, m/s

Mathias: But there’s no work because there’s no sawmill. When it comes to royalties, people just sit and wait for royalties. Royalties aren't something we create ourselves, the company just provides them. So a man can just sit and expect royalties to come. Whether he does nothing or does other things, royalties will come.

40:51

40:59

Mathias chops wood c/u

Sync effects

40:59

41:06

Mathias builds fire c/u

41:06

41:14

Mathias hangs pot over fire, w/s

41:14

41:19

Coral wall, c/u

Mathias v/o: There's a special story about this wall.

41:19

41:33

Mathias inspects coral wall, w/s

Mathias: I asked old Johnathan and the others who should know about it. But they couldn't tell me for sure. So I don't know exactly why this wall looks the way it does.

41:33

41:38

Mathias talks to camera, m/s

Mathias v/o:These sacred places are not just piles of stones, not just any old hill.

41:38

41:44

Forest growing over sacred site

Mathias v/o: Some are burial places and special places of worship.

41:44

41:50

Mathias moves a stone cover to reveal stone artefacts

Mathias v/o: We shouldn't ruin our sacred sites.

41:50

41:57

Kastom money (stone money), c/u

Mathias v/o: We must preserve them.

41:57

42:03

Mathias replaces stone cover

Sync effects

42:03

42:09

Kodo burial mound at coast

Coast atmos, dissolve to:

42:09

42:15

Katy Soapi boards canoe

Katy v/o: This plan to log Tetepare, it's real.

42:15

42:36

TETEPARE / KATY SOAPI

Katy Soapi talks to camera, c/u

Katy: Actually, there's already a company coming and people say we should sign a contract. People already held meetings and chose trustees and chose a chairman, secretary and everything. There's a very real plan to log Tetepare.

42:36

42:44

TETEPARE / TIMOTHY ZAMA

Coastal scene

Zama v/o: Since I came into politics...

42:44

43:35

Timothy Zama talks to camera, w/s

Zama: The first proposal for Tetepare is that determination for logging by the landowners themselves, That's still under strong dispute between the two parties. Number two is that group from Malaysia. A lot of promises... But I can’t count all these eggs before they're hatched. Whether they're telling the truth or lying, I don't know... and the last one is the Australian one.

As a minister responsible for investment, I think and I always think that there will be applicant come through the province, which will come to me about Tetepare. I mean, from those foreigners who are interested in whatever activity they have a mind to do.

43:35

43:39

Loaded log truck leaves the forest

43:39

TETEPARE / MARY BEA

Mary Bea talks to camera, m/s

Mary: Me and my father, we are the only ones who are holding Tetepare back. All of our relatives of Tetepare want Tetepare to be logged.

So that proposal says that after we log Tetepare, we'll have enough money to build houses, for people to settle there. And then there will be hotels, casinos, there will be airports, there will be say call it town ia, there will be a town in Tetepare. Then the way we look at it we will have no right in Tetepare. Tetepare will have nothing for us the original landowners of Tetepare. That's why I oppose logging.

44:30

44:33

HAFORAI TRIBE MEETING 5

Tree stump above coast

Zama v/o: This chairmanship, you want to give it to Tamana.

44:33

44:38

Timothy Zama talks at meeting, m/s

Zama: Tamana, you're from Roviana, from Nduke. Do you hear? You are not Haforai.

44:38

44:45

Tamana Aseri at meeting, c/u

Zama v/o: We are the true descendants of women of Haforai. We will never die.

44:45

44:55

Timothy Zama talks at meeting, w/s

Zama: Our mothers raised girls, who raised more girls... They will continue. Haforai will never end I tell you straight.

44:55

45:25

Tamana Aseri talks at meeting, c/u

Tamana: If you Lokuru people are now trying to deny that our elders are part of Haforai tribe, that's the first time we've heard that. Because through our history and through our ancestors, we know very well that our people are Haforai. All of my people are Haforai. And if all of a sudden you all say "It’s not so," Then something’s very wrong.

45:25

45:35

Zama's father seated outside meeting

Chief Mark v/o: Today I've heard all kinds of talk.

45:35

45:45

Chief Mark Lamberi talks at meeting, c/u

Chief Mark: Me too! I'm beginning to doubt if I'm truly Haforai. I wasn’t born in this village. I don't know.

45:45

46:29

Chief Mark Lamberi talks at meeting, c/u

Chief Mark: But you people are saying all kinds of things. Who’s going to set us straight? You all know so much more than I do. I'm not educated at all. The things I talked about when we began today... "Warning!" I said. "Let's be careful," I said. "Let's not go the wrong way." That's the warning I gave you.

46:29

47:06

Chief Mark Lamberi talks at meeting, m/s

Chief Mark: But if you people say I'm not true Haforai. It’s not going to bother me. The ground I sleep on will still be there. And once I’m dead, that'll be it. Haforai land can't go with me to the grave. I'll be buried all by myself. But that’s all. I’m finished as chief of Haforai, finished from today. I can't worry about that.

47:06

47:13

ARCHIVES (black & white)

Man with spear & face decoration

Film projector sound commences

47:13

47:21

Men unload cargo from dinghy

47:21

47:29

Missionaries lead hymns and pray

47:29

47:36

Baptism in water

47:36

47:40

Missionaries greet baptised people

47:40

47:44

Men shake hands outside church

47:44

47:48

Pastor shakes hands with bride

47:48

47:53

Raise sail on mission ship

47:53

47:57

Pastor Jones raises ship’s flag

47:57

48:00

Sailor steering ship

(end b/w images)

Film projector comes to a stop

48:00

48:02

Approaching Rendova from sea

Coast atmos

48:02

48:10

HAFORAI MEETING 5

Chief Mark c/u

Meeting atmos

48:10

48:24

Pastor Peter Abel pleads with Chief Mark and Timothy Zama at meeting, c/u

Pastor: If you don’t make peace tonight, we'll all be sorry. You make me really upset. I’m speaking as your pastor. If you two can't make peace this evening old man... You'll make my heart cry.

48:24

48:33

Pastor Peter Abel gestures towards chief Mark, w/s

Pastor: Some of your people have hurt you, accused you... "You’ve got this, you took that..." Sorry, I am saying sorry.

48:33

49:01

Pastor Peter Abel, m/s

Pastor: Some people will say the old man is wrong, but it's his work... He has to call the tribe together if anything is wrong. It's his tribe, if anything comes up, he must resolve it. So, very good, old man.

Secondly we have your chairman. He’s my cousin. His words make a lot of sense. He wants to sort it out. He’s the one who really knows the company. What we don't understand he does.

49:01

49:12

Pastor Peter Abel mimes writing in account books as he speaks, m/s

Pastor: "The accounts are like this... The schedule..." He knows it better than any of us. So very good that the chief called us here to sort it out.

49:12

49:44

Pastor Peter Abel, m/s

Pastor: If you do not have a forgiving heart, god has a forgiving heart. Remember the Prodigal Son? He went off and spent a lot of his father’s money. But when he came back God forgave him.  And though it can very hard for us to forgive others. God can forgive you. Even if you spend a lot of money that belongs to god, god can forgive you. Very easy, god can forgive you. We can forgive one another for the sake of our tribe.

49:44

50:01

Pastor Peter Abel makes a final plea to chief Mark

Pastor: So how about it? Will you shake hands now as a good gesture of goodwill? This is my plea to you, old man. Thankyou very much.

50:01

50:30

Timothy Zama, c/u

Zama: If the old man wants to shake hands, I’m ready. I 'll take the chair, and wind up the meeting. If he wants. But if he says no, I can hardly overrule him, the chief. That’s not my place. That's all. If he agrees, I'll shake his hand, I'll take back the chair. I'll close the meeting, then we can all go. That's all from me.

50:30

50:54

Chief Mark Lamberi, c/u

Chief Mark: There are still issues I’d hoped we might resolve have gone off the track. And now it's too late. But I’m happy to shake hands and any time Zama wants another meeting, we can arrange that too. Thats all... Is that good enough?

50:54

50:56

Jack Daniels v/o (English): Very good.

50:56

51:06

Chief Mark Lamberi approaches Timothy Zama, they shake hands

Chief Mark: I will shake with Zama now.

(cheers and clapping)

51:06

51:08

Pastor joins hands with the others

Pastor: Quiet!

51:08

51:15

Hands, c/u

Pastor v/o :I'd like us to say a short prayer now. We pray, Papa God...

51:15

51:22

Tilt from hands to Pastor’s face,

Pastor: You call us to be your servants, to do your will. Thank you for chief Mark and thankyou for your servant chairman Timothy Zama.

51:22

51:38

Pastor Peter Abel moves around the meeting shaking hands

Zama v/o: I now officially declare that the meeting is closed. Just one thing I want to remind everyone... Only one thing I want to remind us of... "You don’t ever rewind the cassette." If you rewind that cassette,

51:38

51:44

Pastor Peter Abel frowns, c/u

Zama v/o: then we will still be dragging back to where we were at.

51:44

51:55

People leave meeting

Meeting atmos

51:55

52:35

MARY BEA

Mary Bea talks to camera, m/s

Mary: They're ignorant. They have no knowledge of what's going on in the future. They don't see the danger in the future, I mean they only look at the money now. But future they don't see it, even though they know but they love money more than our future. That's why they will never learn until trouble comes. But then we fighting... we are trying our very best to fight until they learn… they learn something before the whole bush is destroyed.

52:35

52:41

LOGGING

Logs lowered into ship's hold.

Log ship sound, dissolves to:

52:41

53:28

CLOSING TITLES

Rolling credits, white text over black

Coast atmos

53:30

53:36

Logs in ship's hold c/u

Logs bang against ship’s hull

53:36

53:39

Fade in full frame graphic:

Produced with assistance from

New South Wales

Film & Television Office

58:39

53:41

Fade in full frame graphic:

Produced in association with

SBS Independent

Commissioning Editor

John Hughes

53:41

53:43

Caption, white text on black:

Copyright 2000 NSWFTO

and Russell Hawkins

Log ship sound fades out

00:53:43:00

PROGRAM ENDS (Program duration 0:52:13:00)