KAUGERE

The Muri Family and the ghetto settlement they inhabit is a conduit to explore the challenges that many urban communities face in PNG today, namely: loss of culture, detribalization and the resulting toxic masculinity in the face of a now often meaningless existence.

With 80% unemployment countrywide and most young males adrift in a sea of empty promises and a lack of identity, Albert Muri is a trailblazer and true elder who has sensed what the modern PNG man needs – form, structure, purpose.

Through the game of Rugby League, Albert, limited in his physical resources, sets out to save his community – and family – from falling into complete anarchy. So whilst the film highlights a backdrop of poverty, crime and filth, it’s really a story of the human spirit triumphing in spite of enormous obstacles. And, strangely a modern-day reclaiming of lost tribal customs. KAUGERE punches through how one sport can be an overriding catalyst for positive change.

Our vision is to shine a light on the socio-cultural and economic issues that plague the Kaugere community – from crime and unemployment to a lack of resources and basic amenities. Yet we have chosen to tell a story of hope and change through the game of Rugby League and the leadership of Albert Muri. We want to inspire and mobilize local PNG communities for change, as well as engaging key stakeholders to provide resources or infrastructure whether it be football jerseys or clean water.

We want to highlight the struggles of the Kaugere settlement, as a microcosm of a broader issue playing out in post-colonial PNG. In addition to crime, violence and a fractured male youth, many local communities are lacking in clean water, electricity and sewerage. In the society at large, they face police brutality, a corrupt government and 80 percent unemployment.

We are not going to solve the world’s problems. However, through awareness, key alliances and strategic partnerships, we can certainly shine a light on the work that needs to be picked up by government aid agencies, NGOs and social enterprises.

We want to leverage off the main theme of our film – sport as an agent of self-transformation.We plan to engage with audiences that can bring cross cultural exchange. Via our website and social media, we want to galvanise viewers to donate to initiatives such as the Muri Sports Foundation, which educates and trains youth on the importance of sport in their lives.

Screen Australia came on board first with development funds, which helped kick start the project. Canon Australia provided some production funding and equipment. Six Mile Bookmakers, a local Port Moresby business, provided some production funding as they wanted to invest in a positive venture for their community.

Filmmaker Bob Connolly, of PNG Highland Trilogy fame, has been working closely throughout the post production as a creative consultant and mentor. Bob is also passionate about the Muri family’s plight and has offered a wealth of experience as both a filmmaker and specialist on PNG culture.

It has been a labour of love for the director Stephen Dupont as he not only shot the film solo but also largely financed it. The family’s everyday life, hopes and anguishes are told with an unobtrusive yet intimate and respectful observational camera style.

The next milestone will be to receive post-production funding and support to ensure the best version of this story be told.

We hope viewers will empathise with the people of Kaugere and be inspired by Albert Muri’s indefatigable drive to bring peace to his community through the power of rugby league.

We want our viewers to be galvanised into taking action by visiting the film’s website where they can donate directly to the Muri Sports Foundation, a sports sponsorship program committed to addressing the hardship and violence of everyday life. Viewers can also request to host a fundraiser screening themselves.

We want our film to stimulate public discourse and conversations around poverty and violence. Viewers will witness the positive impact sports can have on future generations.

Clearly a young man who has purpose and direction will be a better son, brother, father or citizen. He’s less likely to fall into the trap of alcoholism, ‘raskol’ gang activities and even domestic violence. Rather than pointing out everything they can do wrong, let us lead them in the direction of everything they can do right.