Schapelle Corby Film Shown In US First

[Herb Fellow]

An Australian-made documentary exploring the plight of convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby will be shown in the United States. Ganja Queen, produced by Sydney-based documentary maker Janine Hosking and her partner Steve Hopes, was shot during Schapelle Corby's 2005 trial with the full co-operation of the Corby family.

The 112-minute version, which will screen on HBO in the US on August 18 is an international edit, but the full Australian-centric film has not yet been screened here. Billed as "a chilling reminder of the risks all travellers take when visiting countries with vastly different criminal justice systems and cultural mores", The Daily Telegraph understands the film has not been seen by the Corby family.

"It was a self-funded operation and we shot it ourselves with a small amount of archival footage," Mr Hopes said. "We were with the Corbys and their legal teams throughout the process and we got a lot of behind-the-scenes footage. Janine had an agreement that she would not broadcast the film in Australia until all the appeals processes were completed, which they now have been.

"All the Australian networks are interested in the documentary, but we may go with a cinematic release as there has been interest there." Mr Hopes said part of the reason for the delay in its Australian release was to protect deals the Corby family had with A Current Affair and other media outlets.

The film highlights the ineptitude of Corby's defence team's strategies.

Schapelle Corby's sister Mercedes will next week commence defamation proceedings against the Seven Network in the NSW Supreme Court.

Source: News.com.au Top stories | News from Australia and around the world online | News.com.au
Copyright: 2008, The Daily Telegraph
Contact: Marcus Casey and Michelle Cazzulino
Website: Schapelle Corby film shown in US first | The Daily Telegraph

 

[Boss]

You would think, with the Billions drugs companies spend on research, we could come up with an anti-moron drug we could lace the water with ;-) I have about given up on normal means of intelligence transfer ;-)

I think we need to elect officials that don;t beleive in trade with countries with no human rights, or an archaic political system, or even countries that rule by religion for that matter. Maybe by putting economic pressure on these countries, they will expand thier human rights to become elligible to trade with the U.S.

While they are trying to get up to speed, we may actually have to build somthing in America again.. Imagine that.

 

[zolar]

perhaps if enoughg people file due process complaints that alcohol citations for public drunkeness , underare drinking etc be classed as a drug violation the folks writting lasws will get some common sense and legalize and regulate and tax non toxic inebriants

 

[Happy Kitty]

Ganja Queen is the name. I just saw this on HBO tonight, and wow! Everyone should watch this movie. What a travesty of .....justice?

This woman went to Bali on vacation, checking her bag at the check-in counter. She had no contact with her bag for over 10 hours. The plane made one stop before landing in Bali. Her bag, which was carrying a body board, was found stuffed with marijuana.

There was no fingerprinting, or preservation of evidence. Dozens of people handled the bag and its contents, and the marijuana was burned before trial.

With busts at the Sydney and Brisbane airports for smuggling by baggage handlers, Australian pressure to release her, and the fact that she was obviously innocent. She was found guilty. Facing the death penalty, she was convicted and sentenced to 20 years and a large fine. And she's still there.

I hope everyone gets a chance to watch this documentary. It had me shaking my head the whole way through.

Peace