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Beyond the Island

A mother in Papua New Guinea chooses survival for her children as she is facing devastating sorrows. She is overcoming the stigma of HIV and is an inspiration to her nation.

  • Maarten Honkoop
    Director
  • Sofia Vesalainen
    Writer
  • Jeff Rogers
    Producer
    Lost Kites
  • Sylvia John
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • George Nita
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • Momoru Nao
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • Aria Hegame
    Key Cast
  • Diane Kambanei
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • Rachel Kiman
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • Margret Marabe
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • Martin Tine
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • Benjamin Haindapa
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • Terence Tai
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • Nancy Graham
    Key Cast
    "Sylvia 16 years old"
  • Debra Ora
    Key Cast
    "Sylvia 11 years old"
  • Kristine Peterson
    Digital Art
  • Raphael Costa
    Composer
  • Samuel Rich
    Cinematography
  • Maarten Honkoop
    Cinematography
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Runtime:
    60 hours 1 minute 36 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 13, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    8,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Norway
  • Country of Filming:
    Papua New Guinea
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • YWAM Medical Ships - Ålesund
    Ålesund
    Norway
    April 24, 2022
    European Premiere
  • Paradise Cinema PNG
    Port Moresby
    Papua New Guinea
    October 8, 2022
    Papua New Guinean Premiere
Distribution Information
  • Digicel Foundation
    Distributor
    Country: Papua New Guinea
    Rights: Internet, Video on Demand, Theatrical, Video / Disc
Director Biography - Maarten Honkoop

Maarten is a filmmaker and content creator originally from the Netherlands. In 2015 he filmed and directed his first documentary in Papua New Guinea in collaboration with YWAM Medical Ships. He has developed a strong vision for helping particularly vulnerable groups through media to raise awareness about their situations of injustice. Through his international contacts and various skills in multimedia, music and storytelling he had a leading role in the creation of Beyond the Island.

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Director Statement

When a team mate told me about the staggering HIV/AIDS statistics in Papua New Guinea, I wasn’t initially compelled to create a film. But as I learnt more, I was moved by stories of shame and stigma—people dying from fear of judgement, and children left orphaned.

I wanted to create a film that brings hope, health, and truth! You can live in abundance with HIV with medication, and compassion overcomes stigma. Creating Beyond the Island was incredibly challenging, with struggles at nearly every step. But I’m immensely proud of the result: powerful stories from real heroes striving to change their country, the emotional depth, the animation, and the beauty of Papua New Guinea’s many islands. This film educates about HIV transmission and dismantles stigma.