Synopsis

In the remote Highlands of Papua New Guinea, democratic elections have become a battle for tribal supremacy. Bribery, fraudulent voting, and all-out tribal war mark Ilekson Taim in Enga Province. TANIM examines one of mankind’s most ancient forms of social organisation at the flash point of political transition.

”The heat from the fire scorches my face and rises in the house, flames pooling and swirling orange on the roof. Three men in ass-grass are dancing in my viewfinder, wielding bush knives and homemade guns. They whoop and sing as the building collapses behind them, a billow of smoke engulfing all of us”
- James Frankham journals, 29th May 2002.

TANIM is an absorbing 50 minute foray into a 12,000 year old Melanesian tribal community in the context of its modern day elections. A no-holds barred story documenting change in the lives of indigenous Papua New Guineans, it follows Enga’s ruling tribe, the Apulin, as they struggle to implement democracy within an ancient tradition of tribalism. Navigating numerous risky situations, award winning director James Frankham captures the explosive climate surrounding the elections including tribal wars and political allies.

TANIM brings to light age-old systems of compensation, land-ownership and traditional chiefdom in the remote and beautiful Highlands. The film exposes tribal concepts of gift and exchange as more than 200 pigs are prepared for the largest Bride Price ceremony ever witnessed, and investigates the complex response of the Highlanders to new forms of competition for leadership. The crew captures the catastrophic climax of the democratic process where half of the 150,000 ballot papers go up in flames when firebombed with four tonnes of jet fuel.

A current affairs feature using 10 minutes of the dramatic TANIM footage won Australia’s coveted Walkley Award for excellence in journalism. TANIM also won the Best contemporary Documentary in the Film Festival Océanie 2005 as well as an Honourable Mention in the DOCNZ 2005 festival. Stunning photographic images from TANIM have been featured in TIME Magazine, front pages of the Sydney Morning Herald, Melbourne Age and the Otago Daily Times.

The official website drew thousands of international viewers from over 40countries, who followed the crew as they filmed and recorded their experiences.