Film Synopses
Konta-Sai
Maria Isabel, an East Timorese survivor of sexual violence, narrates her experience during the Indonesian occupation of Timor-Leste. One day, she was raped by members of the Indonesian military after they told her aunts to be silent. Another day, Maria Isabel was taken away from her family by military men and questioned because they suspected her of helping the resistance movement. While being held by the Indonesian military, she became friends with a man named Iku, who was later taken by the Kopassus to be questioned. Despite being told not to interfere with the questioning, Maria Isabel held tightly to Iku. Later, in 2004, Maria Isabel attended a hearing of the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in Timor-Leste, where she heard other women speak about the sexual violence they endured. At first, she did not feel comfortable sharing her story, but as time went on, she decided to tell her own story of sexual violence during the Indonesian occupation so others would know the truth about what happened to her and other East Timorese women during the occupation.
8:45
Umar, a survivor of the conflict in Aceh, tells the story of his arrest and interrogation, which began at 8:45 pm one night in 2003 during a period of martial law. He was accused of being a member of GAM, the Free Aceh Movement. During his questioning by the military, he was repeatedly asked if he was a member of GAM, an accusation which he vehemently denied, even after being placed in a cell and tortured. Later, he was transferred to another police station and interrogated and tortured again. Umar endured two years and 10 months of torture during the conflict. In 2016, the Aceh Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established, with the goal of strengthening peace through telling the truth, recommending reparations, and going through a reconciliation process. Umar was one of many who participated in the Aceh TRC to tell his story of the torture and accusations he endured.
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