Tong Tana

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Tong Tana: A Journey to the Heart of Borneo is a 1989 Swedish documentary film about the Penan people of Sarawak, Borneo, a federal state of Malaysia, and their struggle to protect their tropical rainforest. [1] Central to the film is the story of Swiss environmental activist, Bruno Manser, who was targeted by the Malaysian government for protesting the lumber industry's logging operations. [1] Ten years later, the TV crew returned to the area and filmed Tong Tana: The Lost Paradise, which documented their struggle to protect what was left after their homeland was logged. [2]

Filmmakers Jan Roed, Fredrik von Krusenstjerna, Bjorn Cederberg and Kristian Petri worked on the first documentary. [1] A 1991 review in the Los Angeles Times called the first film "as beautiful as it is heartbreaking". [1]

In May 2000, shortly after the second film was completed, Manser disappeared without a trace and was presumed dead. [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Thomas, Kevin (January 9, 1991). "MOVIE REVIEWS : 'Privilege' and 'Tong Tana': Disparate Documentaries : One is a boring work about menopause, while the other is a beautiful but heartbreaking journey to the rain forests of Borneo". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  2. 1 2 Karvelas, Patricia (31 July 2003). "Felling of an ancient lifestyle". The Australian. Retrieved 2024-05-18 via EBSCOHost.