The opening title card is filled with the sounds of gunfire, clomping boots, and shouts echoing from all around. This is followed by black-and-white footage of a eulogy being read at a priest’s funeral. In the eulogy, the name of the priest, Father Bert, is mentioned.
Lambertus Hagendoorn, often known as Father Bert or Soebertono Mote, was a priest from the Netherlands who devoted his life to Papua for more than 48 years. Since the 1970s, he chose to carry out church duties in Papua, starting in the Puncak area, then moving on to Nabire, Oksibil, and building youth organizations in Timika. It was through this youth organization that he met director Yonri Revolt who later immortalized all the efforts of Father Bert’s foundation in Papua. Through personal notes, Father Bert reflects on the challenges and experiences of life in Papua, recounting his encounters with soldiers during the Trikora Operation, the ‘Koteka Operation’ à la the New Order, the problems of industrial and territorial colonization from the Freeport and Referendum scandals, and the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Timika during the 2000s.
From each of Father’s diaries, a social condition of Papua can be found through his words, which are written in a style as if he were telling an anecdote. This can be seen, for example, in the note translated by Director Yonri about the Koteka Operation in Father’s diary from 1971-1973. The note reads, “…The clothes that were distributed were made of one type of material, thin, and uniform with a yellow color. Because they had a picture of a banyan tree in the middle right on the chest, it was considered a talisman…” or “Unfortunately, the government did not distribute laundry detergent, so the clothes that were worn for months caused many residents to suffer from skin diseases.” The use of language that is rich in satire is phrased in a subtle way without being offensive, but still highlights the empathetic character that reflects Father Bert’s personality.
Through the daily recordings of his activities until the day of his death, we are encouraged to get to know more about Papua as seen through the eyes of Father Bert and Father Bert through the eyes of his own foster children, at least from the perspective of director Yonri. There is a lot of sorrow, but also a lot of joy that permeates the daily life of Father Bert through the people he met, the family who loved him, and every contribution of his actions to care for and love Papua through his way of life.
The Silent Path (2024) is an obituary and a journal of witness accounts from people who have been inspired by Father Bert. Director Yonri’s efforts to preserve Father Bert’s significant diaries represent a form of repayment for the sincerity and courage of Father Bert, who devoted nearly his entire life to the land of Papua.
Requiescat in pace, Father. Your story is eternal. (Gantar Sinaga) (Ed. Vanis) (Trans. Naufal Shabri)
Film Details
The Silent Path (Soebertono Mote)
Yonri Revolt | 77 Min | 2024 | Papua, Indonesia
In Competition for Indonesia Feature-Length
Festival Film Dokumenter 2024
Screening Schedule
Nov. 3 | 19:00 WIB | IFI-LIP
Nov. 8 | 19:00 WIB | Militaire Societeit, TBY
