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British filmmaker Dominic Brown travelled without the knowledge or permission of the Indonesian authorities to make Forgotten Bird of Paradise. The documentary offers a rare and deeply moving insight into the struggle for independence that has gripped West Papua for over 50 years.
It features never-before-seen footage of freedom fighters at their jungle stronghold, alongside interviews with victims of human rights abuses under Indonesian occupation — a world where ancient traditions endure, and the determination for freedom burns stronger than ever.
West Papua comprises the western half of the island of New Guinea, bordering Papua New Guinea to the east. Covered in tropical rainforests second in size only to the Amazon, it is home to many unique species, including tree kangaroos and birds of paradise. The indigenous population numbers around 1 million Melanesian Papuans, many of whom still live subsistence or hunter-gatherer tribal lifestyles.
Despite its appearance as a lush, tropical paradise, West Papua has endured decades of harsh Indonesian military occupation, beginning in the early 1960s. The presence of armed forces and ongoing conflicts have profoundly affected the daily lives of the indigenous population. During this period, over 500,000 indigenous Papuans have lost their lives, a staggering toll that reflects the intensity of the violence, human rights abuses, and systemic oppression faced by the local communities. The occupation has disrupted traditional ways of life, fuelled displacement, and left deep social and cultural scars that continue to impact generations today.
Formerly a Dutch colony, West Papua was granted independence in 1961 but fell under Indonesian control twelve months later. Widespread resistance to Indonesian rule prompted the United Nations to intervene and agree to oversee a plebiscite. In 1969, of West Papua’s then population of nearly 1 million people, only 1,025 tribal elders were allowed to vote — a clear breach of the terms of the Act. Those elders later recounted how the Indonesian military had forced them at gunpoint to vote in favour of integration.
In 2008, the year Forgotten Bird of Paradise was filmed, West Papua was approaching the fortieth anniversary of the bitterly contested Act of Free Choice. Despite decades of oppression, Papuan communities continue to resist, preserving their culture, raising awareness of their struggle, and striving for self-determination. The film captures both the breathtaking landscapes of the region and the resilience, courage, and enduring spirit of its people.
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Forgotten Bird of Paradise has reached audiences worldwide through film festivals, special screenings and television broadcasts.
A visual interpretation of the film created by students at Cheney High School, as part of the Oxford Brookes University Human Rights Film Festival, 2011
An illustration by Italian cartoonist, Gianluca Costantini, ahead of the screening of Forgotten Bird of Paradise at FiSahara, 2016
Updates about the film and the ongoing struggle for West Papuan independence.
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