Where the Sun Rises 2006
Distributed by Seventh Art Releasing, 1614 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046; 323-845-1455
Produced by Grace Phan
Directed by Grace Phan
DVD , color, 56 min.
Jr. High - Adult
African Studies, Area Studies, Biography, History, Postcolonialism, Storytelling
Date Entered: 01/29/2009
Reviewed by Brad Eden, Associate University Librarian for Technical Services and Scholarly Communication, University of California, Santa BarbaraThis film is unique in that it is the first ever documentary fully narrated by a Head of State, who is Xanana Gusmao, the first President of Timor Leste (originally East Timor). Gusmao is an extraordinary man, labeled as a poet, visionary, and warrior. The viewer is guided on a tour of Timor Leste, with Gusmao as guide. He speaks four languages throughout (English, Portuguese, Indonesian, and his native Tetun). Gusmao knows every inch of his country, and the film crew follows him as he shows the wonders of nature and the horrors of the occupation by Indonesia for 24 years. This film has won numerous awards, all of which are documented on the website for the film. I highly recommend this video; it is a powerful story of Gusmao himself as well as the struggles that his country has gone through to obtain independence.