It was produced by Arenafilm in Australia with Robert Connolly as director, David Williamson as screenwriter, and Professor Clinton Fernandes as historical consultant.

[6] The film starts in the present day, when an Australian journalist interviews a woman named Juliana, who as a young girl witnessed Roger East's capture and execution by the Indonesian invasion force.

The Balibo Five painted the Australian flag upon a building to ensure their safety, and declined requests of their FRETILIN bodyguards to join them in retreat.

Then, the soldiers breached the building, killing the other journalists Then Roger's point of view ends when the Indonesians invade Dili with paratroopers and ground troops.

[9] Robert Connolly said that he did not set out to provoke Jakarta but wanted to examine a seminal moment in Indonesia's 24-year occupation of East Timor, when an estimated 183,000 people died: "I think it had to be graphic because otherwise you dangerously dilute what happened.

[11] The then President of East Timor, José Ramos-Horta, was in attendance at the world premiere, where there was an address alleging that the Balibo Five were tortured and killed by Indonesian forces.

Relatives of Tony Stewart held aloft a banner bearing his name which had been embroidered by East Timorese women.

Kuipers continues: "LaPaglia is particularly good as the weary scribe who slowly rediscovers his old fire, and Isaac sparks off him impressively as the younger man whose ability to read people is as sharp as his political acumen.

"[8] Screen International's Frank Hatherley opined: "Shot on location with loving attention to period detail, the film's take on these long-buried events is convincing.

"[6] The Monthly's Luke Davies wrote: "Jill Jollife's book ... argues that the Australian government has always known the exact circumstances of the newsmen's deaths.