Joe Leahy's Neighbours

Joe Leahy's Neighbours is a 1989 Australian documentary film, created by Robin Anderson and Bob Connolly, looking at Papua New Guinean business man Joe Leahy and relationship to those around him.^[1] It is some ways a sequel to First Contact.^[2]

Joe Leahy's Neighbours
Directed by	Robin Anderson Bob Connolly
Written by	Robin Anderson Bob Connolly
Produced by	Robin Anderson Bob Connolly
Starring	Joe Leahy
Cinematography	Bob Connolly
Edited by	Ray Thomas Bob Connolly
Release date	1989 (1989)
Running time	90 minutes
Country	Australia
Language	English

Reception

Neil Jillet of the Age says "Documentary is a hopelessly inadequate word to describe 'Joe Leahy's Neighbours'. This wonderful film has the dramatic strength of a first-class feature. It is an anthropological tragi-comedy full of conflicts among fascinating characters. It is also a psychological thriller about collectivism v. capitalism, about “primitive” ways v. “sophisticated” ones, that regularly seem about to erupt into violence, possibly murder."^[3] The Sun-Heralds Rob Lowing finishes "the slyly witty final images are a summary in themselves and a memorable finishing touch to a film which is both thought provoking and entertaining."^[4] Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald' David Stratton says "This beautifully-made 90-minute documentary is an invaluable insight into life in PNG, and a perceptive study of a strange king of colonialism".^[5]

Awards

• 1989 Australian Film Institute Awards
  • Best Documentary - Robin Anderson, Bob Connolly - won^[6]
  • Best Achievement in Sound in a Non-Feature Film - Robin Anderson - nominated^[6]