In case you haven’t noticed, Papua New Guinea has been making steady strides in film for a few years now. Some of the films that have stood out particularly stood have been films such as Ples Man, Nana and currently the upcoming Ples Man 2. Here’s a few things you should know about the latest edition to PNG cinema – Papa Buka: 1. Papa Buka explores the contributions of India during the Second World War Many Indian soldiers served in the British Army during the Second World War. A lot of these soldiers died and were buried in Papua New Guinea, but their contributions and impact are often overshadowed by those made by Australia, Britain, Germany and Japan. 2. The film utilizes more than three different languages Dialogues are delivered in Tok Pisin, English, Hindi and Bengali in appropriate contexts. Throughout the film different languages are used in different circumstances perfectly capturing the complex dynamics of navigating and overcoming language barriers in real-life. For instance, the two Indian historians often communicate in Hindi and Bengali when conversing with one another or with fellow Indians. However, when conversing with educated Papua New Guineans, they would switch to English. Papua New Guineans similarly would converse with their fellow countrymen in Tok Pisin but switch to English when conversing with the historians. 3. Papa Buka encourages women empowerment Over 60% of individuals involved in Papa Buka’s production were female. Additionally, according to the Papa Buka website, women played key roles in costume design, performance, coordination and cultural preservation, making Papa Buka, one of the few films to highlight gender inclusivity in creative leadership. 4. Much of the cast and crew had no prior experience on a film set The team involved in the production of Papa Buka consisted of 90% amateurs – folks who had never been involved in making a film before. Additionally, the film also acted as a training ground for youth and students. 5. It is considered the first PNG-India co-production Many companies, partners and government bodies were involved in the making of Papa Buka, not limited to NAFA Productions, Guru Foundations Inc, PNG Tribe Technologies, Department of Community Development and Religion, the National Film Institute of Papua New Guinea and the National Cultural Commission. Of course, there will be so much more to know about a film that is PNG’s first ever entry to the Oscars, but these are just a few.