PUNITIVE DAMAGE
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Kamal Bamadhaj, a 20-year old New Zealander and student activist was shot dead during the Dili massacre in East Timor in 1991 by the Indonesian military that had occupied the small former Portuguese colony since 1975. Over 270 young Timorese were also killed that day.
Punitive Damage tells the story of Kamal’s mother, Helen Todd who brought a lawsuit against an Indonesian general responsible for the slaughter. She was determined to seek justice not just for her own terrible loss but also on behalf of the Timorese who also lost their children. The Dili massacre became a turning point in the history of East Timor, which finally gained its independence from Indonesia in 1999 – the year the film was released.
“**** Restrained and unostentatious, this is a well-crafted memorial to a life well-lived and a testament to the quiet courage of both mother and son. It deserves a wide audience.”
– Peter Calder, NZ Herald
DVD available. Contact for more information.
PRODUCERS
Annie Goldson & Gaylene Preston
DIRECTOR
Annie Goldson
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Leon Narbey
EDITOR
John Gilbert
COMPOSER
Stephen Taberner
ARCHIVIST
Max Stahl
LINE PRODUCER
Catherine Madigan
SOUND
Ken Saville
DATE
1999
AWARDS
Winner, Best Documentary - Cinemanila Philippines Intern'l Film Festival 2000
Bronze Plaque - 48th Annual Columbus Intern'l film & Video Festival
USA Golden Eagle - Cine 2000
A Pass Award - National Council on Crime and Delinquency
Finalist, Best Feature - International Documentary Awards 2000
Honourable Mention - International Women’s Film Festival 2000
Golden Gate Award - San Francisco International Film Festival 2000
Highly Commended - New Zealand Media Peace Awards 1999
Winner, Audience Award - Sydney International Film Festival 1999
Winner, Medianet Award - Munich Film Festival 1999
Finalist - New Zealand Nokia Film Awards 1999
FESTIVALS
International Documentary Festival Amsterdam
Encrontos Film Festival, Portugal
Chicago International Film Festival
Hawaii International Film Festival
Hotdocs
Valencia International Film Festival
Locarno International Film Festival
Rocky Mountain Women’s Festival
Melbourne International Film Festival
Palm Springs International Film Festival
Singapore International Film Festival
Hong Kong International Film Festival
Jakarta International Film Festival
Rencontres Inter’les du Documentaire de Montréal
Turin Womens International Film Festival
Women in the Director’s Chair
DocAviv
