Black Harvest (1993 film)

Black Harvest is a 1993 Australian documentary film directed by Robin Anderson and Bob Connolly. It is the second film in a trilogy documenting the experiences of coffee growers in the Papua New Guinea highlands. Following on from "First Contact" (1982), which examined the initial encounters between the Leahy brothers and the Highlanders, "Black Harvest" focuses on the Simbai Valley and the Kerema family as they struggle to manage their coffee plantation, cope with fluctuating market prices, tribal disputes, and the pressures of a rapidly changing society. The film examines themes of globalization, economic inequality, cultural clashes, and the challenges faced by indigenous communities as they navigate the complexities of the modern world. It is known for its cinéma vérité style, offering a direct and unfiltered view into the lives of its subjects. The final film in the trilogy is "Bridging the Gap" (2000), which further explores the evolving dynamics of the coffee industry and its impact on the Kerema family.