“An incredible film with a well crafted script, beautiful cinematography and a touching story that exposes a deep anger and sorrow.”  Erin Free - Filmink

“Part of what makes Balibo such a great film is that among its politics and desire to set the record straight is a hugely entertaining film with appealing characters. It is not overly didactic or preachy and instead gets the perfect balance of emotional impact, political commentary and historical re-enactment.”  Thomas Caldwell - Cinema Autopsy

This is a real story, a true story, and, one that many say had to be told.  But this is not a documentary - it is reality transformed into a political thriller with a message, for the big screen and as such it perhaps engages the audience’s emotions rather more than a straight documentary would have done.  For in a ‘fictionalised’ version of true events you can create characters, explore their feelings, create dialogue that brings these people to life in a way that a documentary couldn’t.  In another year this film would have swept the board at the AFI awards - it was perhaps its misfortune, though our gain, that it was competing in such a strong year for Australian film. 

Best Supporting Actor, Oscar Isaac,  AFI Awards