Director: Dr. Bijukumar Damodaran Cast: Ritabhari Chakraborty, Prakash Bare, Sine Boboro, John Sike Rating: PG│ Genre(s): Drama │Run Time: 2h HEARTWARMING AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING “Papa Buka (2025) is a film produced not just for an audience with a complicated history during the second world war – who better to tell the story than India and Papua New Guinea (PNG).” When two Indian historians Romila Chatterjee (Ritabhari Chakraborty) and Anand Kunjiraman (Prakash Bare), travel to PNG Romila reveals a much more personal reason for her visit which is to find the remains of her maternal grandfather who served as a soldier in PNG. Acting and dialogue between Chakraborty and Bare flows effortlessly, capturing a natural friendship between a couple who understands and supports each other well. The utilization of Tok Pisin, English and Indian languages in appropriate settings was executed well, reflecting real life circumstances between how people with languages barriers will communicate. The character Sike (John Sike) acts as the translator between Chakraborty, Bare and Papa Buka, communicating in English to the two historians, translating what Papa Bua says in Tok Pisin. The film also captures the beauty of PNG’s village life: traditional singing and dance, remote villages, traditional cooking and even in Papa Buka’s odd habits of seeking rare birds in the jungle. The only shortfall to the film would be monotonous delivery of the Papua New Guinean cast, understandably so due to the lack of experience. Yet in spite of that, the inexperience adds to the film’s charm, showcasing PNG in its rawness. Final Thoughts: Papa Buka will no doubt capture hearts with its unapologetic portrayal of the realities of history, culture and life as a descendant and result of the Second World War. Rating: ★ ★ ★ ⯪ (7/10) Best suited for: Indigenous populations who wish to have their stories told.