Orchids doco out

A NEW rugby league documentary film that follows the journey of the PNG Orchids from inception to the world stage will premiere at the PNG Human Rights Film Festival this month, before being released at Paradise Cinemas in Port Moresby and screened in communities across the country.
Power Meri tells the story of the Orchids’ rise to the 2017 Rugby League World Cup through the voices of pioneering players from the inaugural squad.
Shot by a small crew of Australians and Papua New Guineans in Port Moresby, Lae, Goroka and Australia, the film explores the broader social impact of the Orchids through themes of women’s empowerment, national identity, prejudice, resilience and hope.
The film was launched at an exclusive preview screening at the University of PNG on Wednesday, attended by Orchids players and hosted by US Ambassador Catherine Ebert-Gray.
Film director Joanna Lester, a former journalist who moved to PNG in 2014 to work in media roles within rugby league, said: “Living in PNG and hearing the inspiring stories of female rugby league players who are changing attitudes about women in their communities through playing PNG’s male-dominated national sport, I always thought their voices deserved to be heard on a wider scale.
When it was confirmed that PNG would form a national women’s team to participate in the world cup for the first time, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to document that journey and share the story with a wider audience.
Power Meri has been selected as the opening night film of the 9th annual PNG Human Rights Film Festival (PNGHRFF), led by the UN and other partners, and premiered iat Moresby Arts Theatre yesterday.
It will then screen at Paradise Cinemas in Port Moresby ftoday to Monday, with further screenings to be programmed subject to demand.
Paradise Cinemas will donate a percentage of box office takings to the Orchids.
PNGHRFF will also show the film in three locations across Bougainville — in Buka (Sat, Nov 3), in Arawa (Sun, Nov 11) and in Buin(Sat, Nov 17) and possibly in Goroka. Timings and locations will be confirmed on the PNG Human Rights Film Festival Facebook page.
The NRL and other partner organisations will facilitate community screenings from late 2018 onwards, and the film will be broadcast on television in 2019.
For news on screenings, follow the film on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PowerMeriFilm
To host a screening in your community or organisation from next month onwards, or for further information, contact: [email protected]