Northern Film School

Martin John Harris talks about the editing of ‘BLOODSHOT: THE DREAMS & NIGHTMARES OF EAST TIMOR’

'In the President's Office.. left to right Ian Pinder, Conor O'Grady, Peter A Gordon (producer) adn Jose Ramos Horta (President)'

Senior Lecturer and Film Editor, Martin John Harris recently completed the editing of a new documentary about East Timor. ‘BLOODSHOT: THE DREAMS & NIGHTMARES OF EAST TIMOR’ was produced by independent producer Peter A. Gordon. Twenty years ago Peter made an undercover documentary in East Timor, a far off island under occupation. The programme changed the course of the nation, Peter won numerous international awards and for the crew it led to extraordinary changes in their lives.

The focal point of the 1992 film was a cold blooded massacre recorded by the cameraman, Max Stahl, who risked his own life and consequently became a national hero. The programme researcher, a 22 year old Australian woman, fell in love and married the guerrilla leader and was his First Lady when he became the first President in 2002.

Last year Peter returned to Timor with a film crew of Northern Film School Alumni, Ian Pinder and Conor O’Grady. They filmed the astonishing transformations, discovered the fate of victims and survivors of the massacre and found the guerrillas who fought for their freedom. With unique access to the principle characters, the film is the moving human story of the individuals at the heart of a bloody revolution and of a nation still in the process of healing where justice sometimes has to be sacrificed for reconciliation. It is a story of bravery and commitment, of love and sacrifice.

Conor O’Grady and Ian Pinder filmed around 100 hours of new footage to add to the existing 80 hours of film and archive. Martin Harris collaborated with Peter Gordon during four months of editing, shaping the material into a 90 minute film. The result is a personal perspective looking back over 20 years of struggle since the Santa Cruz massacre entwined with some of the issues facing a newly formed independent country.

Conor, Ian, Peter & Max Stahl (cameraman)

Other Northern Film School personel involved in the project were, Senior Lecturer in Post Production, David Smith (colour grading) plus two students, Sarah Peczek (BA3) and Jason Lightfoot (MA) who helped out with editing and sound design.

The film is being entered into film festivals around the world and Peter is also trying to tempt a UK broadcaster to screen it. Martin is now back at the University teaching his specialist subjects, editing and documentary. There will be a screening of the documentary in the near future, TBA.


The Filmmakers' MA BA (Hons) Animation BA (Hons) Film & Moving Image Production FdA Film & Television Production Short Courses & Workshops Documentary Staff Students Associates Alumni News Contact NFS About NFS Links & Partnerships Equipment & Facilities Festivals International	Martin John Harris talks about the editing of ‘BLOODSHOT: THE DREAMS & NIGHTMARES OF EAST TIMOR’ 'In the President's Office.. left to right Ian Pinder, Conor O'Grady, Peter A Gordon (producer) adn Jose Ramos Horta (President)' Senior Lecturer and Film Editor, Martin John Harris recently completed the editing of a new documentary about East Timor. ‘BLOODSHOT: THE DREAMS & NIGHTMARES OF EAST TIMOR’ was produced by independent producer Peter A. Gordon. Twenty years ago Peter made an undercover documentary in East Timor, a far off island under occupation. The programme changed the course of the nation, Peter won numerous international awards and for the crew it led to extraordinary changes in their lives. The focal point of the 1992 film was a cold blooded massacre recorded by the cameraman, Max Stahl, who risked his own life and consequently became a national hero. The programme researcher, a 22 year old Australian woman, fell in love and married the guerrilla leader and was his First Lady when he became the first President in 2002. Last year Peter returned to Timor with a film crew of Northern Film School Alumni, Ian Pinder and Conor O’Grady. They filmed the astonishing transformations, discovered the fate of victims and survivors of the massacre and found the guerrillas who fought for their freedom. With unique access to the principle characters, the film is the moving human story of the individuals at the heart of a bloody revolution and of a nation still in the process of healing where justice sometimes has to be sacrificed for reconciliation. It is a story of bravery and commitment, of love and sacrifice. Conor O’Grady and Ian Pinder filmed around 100 hours of new footage to add to the existing 80 hours of film and archive. Martin Harris collaborated with Peter Gordon during four months of editing, shaping the material into a 90 minute film. The result is a personal perspective looking back over 20 years of struggle since the Santa Cruz massacre entwined with some of the issues facing a newly formed independent country. Conor, Ian, Peter & Max Stahl (cameraman) Other Northern Film School personel involved in the project were, Senior Lecturer in Post Production, David Smith (colour grading) plus two students, Sarah Peczek (BA3) and Jason Lightfoot (MA) who helped out with editing and sound design. The film is being entered into film festivals around the world and Peter is also trying to tempt a UK broadcaster to screen it. Martin is now back at the University teaching his specialist subjects, editing and documentary. There will be a screening of the documentary in the near future, TBA.