Joe Leahy's Neighbours

Joe Leahy's Neighbours is a 1989 Australian documentary film, created by Robin Anderson and Bob Connolly, looking at Papua New Guinean business man Joe Leahy and relationship to those around him. It is some ways a sequel to First Contact.

Reception
Neil Jillet of the Age says "Documentary is a hopelessly inadequate word to describe 'Joe Leahy's Neighbours'. This wonderful film has the dramatic strength of a first-class feature. It is an anthropological tragi-comedy full of conflicts among fascinating characters. It is also a psychological thriller about collectivism v. capitalism, about “primitive” ways v. “sophisticated” ones, that regularly seem about to erupt into violence, possibly murder." The Sun-Heralds Rob Lowing finishes "the slyly witty final images are a summary in themselves and a memorable finishing touch to a film which is both thought provoking and entertaining." Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald' David Stratton says "This beautifully-made 90-minute documentary is an invaluable insight into life inPNG, and a perceptive study of a strange king of colonialism".

Awards

 * 1989 Australian Film Institute Awards
 * Best Documentary - Robin Anderson, Bob Connolly - won
 * Best Achievement in Sound in a Non-Feature Film - Robin Anderson - nominated