[8] This similar to malae, the word for foreigner in Tetum, East Timor's main language.

[9] Danu is annexed by the malai and declared their 'fifty-eighth province',[10] over which their green and white flag is raised.

[11] Although the characters are fictional, they are closely based on people involved in events in East Timor during 1975.

[12] Osvaldo Oliveira, commander of the FAKINTIL guerilla army, is based on Nicolau Lobato, who became Prime Minister following the unilateral declaration of independence in 1975, and Xanana Gusmão, who later became the first President of East Timor in 2002.

[17] Bill Mabbely is based on Australian journalist Roger East, who was killed by Indonesian troops in Dili on the day of the invasion.