Alias Ruby Blade: A Story of Love and Revolution

Intrigue, romance, and revolution all come together in Alias Ruby Blade(Alex Meillier / 2012 / USA / English and Timorese / 73 minutes), a documentary film which chronicles the tumultuous birth of a new nation in East Timor through a never-before-seen perspective. Kirsty Sword, a young Australian activist, aspired to be a documentary filmmaker, but instead became a underground operative for the Timorese resistance in Jakarta, codenamed 'Ruby Blade'. Her task: to become a conduit of information and instruction for the enigmatic leader of the resistance, Kay Rala "Xanana" Gusmão, while he was serving life in prison for his revolutionary activities. Through correspondence, they fell in love.

Alias Ruby Blade captures their incredible love story from this beginning to the ultimate triumph of freedom in East Timor, demonstrating the astonishing power of ordinary individuals to change the course of history.

Followed by discussion with director Alex Meillier.

Presented in conjunction with the Port Jefferson Documentary Series.

http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/wang/programs/films.html