East Timor, The Mysterious Island | The Roads of the Impossible

East Timor, The Mysterious Island | The Roads of the Impossible

00:00 It is very difficult to locate East Timor on a world map. Stuck between Bali and Australia, this small island is trying to break its isolation but the resources are almost non-existent.

03:23 East Timor has a landscape worthy of a postcard
04:45 Known for being very philosophical, the Timorese always try to see the
positive
06:11 Timor is subject to many natural disasters
11:28 Due to the state of the roads, few trucks attempt to reach isolated villages
14:55 To protect themselves from wildlife, the Timorese rely on the “King of Crocodiles”
18:40 An old souvenir of Portuguese colonization, Jesus is everywhere in the capital
20:51 to fight against fatigue, they consume betel
22:28 From the beginning of their journey, they find themselves stuck in huge traffic jams
28:20 To go to school, they have to travel dozens of kilometers every day
35:00 Driving at night on damaged roads is not a very good idea, however, they often do not have the choice
42:05 In Timor, betting and cockfighting are commonplace.
46:33 Between these disasters, East Timor clings to the hope of a better life

Only agriculture and fishing allow the inhabitants to earn a few dollars a month. Today, the island is still split in two with one part Indonesian and the other, Timor Leste, independent since 2002. In the most remote villages, the inhabitants live cut off from everything. The only solution is a rocky track that is often flooded during the rainy season and where the slightest mistake can be fatal. But survival comes at this price and the farmers embark on a long odyssey to sell a few vegetables on the market in the capital Dili. After a 10-hour journey, the reward is not always there and there are many disappointments.
Director: Guillaume Lhotellier