UU204

ASSESSMENT 2
VIDEO REACT PAPER

NAME: KEVIN KAILASH KRISHNAN

STUDENT ID: S11186309

YEAR: 2020
On Friday 18th September I watched a documentary entitled "we are rebels." This documentary
is based in New Caledonia and focuses on how natives fight for independence against the
French. The lead journalists of this documentary were Luca Belline and Silvia Luzi, music was
composed by Nicado Mules, sound design was composed by Marzia Cordo, Stefanie Grasso,
Giancario and Rufigfiano, graphic design was done by Adriano Mestchella and narration was
done by James Butterfield.

When watching the documentary on the natives of New Caledonia interviews were conducted to
allow the people to express themselves regarding the rule of France. It was sad to see how the
French treated the natives of New Caledonia in the past and the present. One of the things that I
found shocking was how the people don't have doctor; lawyers and other highly qualified people
die lack of educational support by the French. I also learnt that the natives of New Caledonia
were referred to as "Kanak" which was used for slaves in the past and was an insult to the people
of New Caledonia. Since racism was at large at that time it was still sad to see how the natives
were being insulted and looked down on by the French.

Religion was introduced in New Caledonia in 1853. One thing that brought an advantage to the
natives was that they were taught to read and write and to sing by a pastor. One shocking event
that I encountered in the documentary was how people were shot dead when they went too close
to the priests. I felt disgusted with how the priests acted towards the natives as priests are
responsible for sharing the word of god and not murder as one of the ten commandment states
"thou shall not kill."

The fight for independence started in the 1970’s which were led by Jean-Marie Tjibou, a priest.
This caused a lot of conflict internally which led to a civil war. The people's obsession for
freedom reached a limit where they were ready to kill and to die for the independence of their
country. This caused an attack on the convoy in 1984 in which 10 people were killed who were
all rebels. One of the survivors of the attack was Jean-Marie Tjibaou's brother. I felt it was a
cowardly approach by the colonists who attacked the people fighting for their independence. I
also got to see the graves of the Tjbauo family and the ten rebels that died in the attack. The
emotion behind Vianney Tjibaou was hard to watch as he was pointing out his family's grave one
by one. I feel that his anger and hatred is justified as he lost almost all his family while fighting
for the lands and all this because of the greediness of the French. If that wasn't enough the
French decide to implement a new immigration policy by sending Europeans to New Caledonia
so that the Kanak population would be a minority. I felt that was a cowardly political move
which was a step too far.
While watching the documentary, I got to witness a turn of events. The assaisination of Jean-
Marie Tjibauo. What was more shocking was that it was one of the Kanak's who killed Jean-
Marie Tjibauo. At one point it can be argued that the killer did this because of the love he had for
his country as he was against the signing of the matignong agreement with the French which
stated that concession be provided for 10 years for the organisation referendum on independence.
Many kanaks were not willing to sign the agreement with the French and wanted to get
independence through other ways but it also can be argued that Jean-Marie Tjbauo signed the
matignong agreement to put an end to the bloodshed.

As the matingnong agreement was coming to an end the French put forth another agreement to
avoid the independence referendum. This was another political move by the French that went
against the Kanak population and in my view terribly unfair. Despite this, the Kanaks are still
pushing forward towards independence. Another great thing I found in this documentary is that
Kanak are not trying to vet independence through violent means but through knowledge.

To conclude, this documentary has taught a lot about the history of New Caledonia and also of
many interesting fact. It is also a lesson for people to not let greed get into their hearts as greed
destroys everything. As this documentary shows how the French robbed the Kanak of their
wealth which led to death from both sides. I believe that the people of New Caledonia will get
their independence with the hope and will to fight for their freedom.
Bibliography
Bellino, L. (Director). (n.d.). We Are Rebels [Motion Picture].