City to host Thai-Burma rail survivor

A World War II veteran, and Thai-Burma railway survivor, will be in Geraldton for tomorrow night’s Film Harvest at Orana Cinemas.

Harold Martin is the focus of a WA-made documentary, a Long Way Back, which tells the story of his capture as a prisoner of war and how he was forced to work on the Thai-Burma railway.

The 99-year-old survived even after the ship transporting him and other prisoners to Japan was sunk by a US submarine.

The screening will be preceded with a wine and cheese night, with proceeds going to the RSL’s Hellfire Pass tour for Geraldton students.

There will be a Q&A after the film with Mr Martin.

Director Samm Blake said she got involved in Mr Martin’s story when her father, who had known the man as a regular at the family restaurant in Albany, offered to take Mr Martin to Myanmar to visit the Thai-Burma railway line.

“I thought it was remarkable that Harold, who was 95 years old in 2012, was embarking on a trip... travelling back 70 years and revisiting many raw memories, I’m sure,” she said.

“It started out as a photography series, but I quickly realised it was going to become a more powerful piece if I was to introduce Harold’s voice, music and moving images.

“The biggest thing I learnt from working on this project is that every single person has a story to tell and the best thing you can ever give someone is your time and an ear to listen — what you will get back is the greatest gift.”

Ms Blake said it wasn’t until her second trip to Hellfire Pass that she understood the reality of what Mr Martin and the other prisoners of war went through.

“I had been working on this film for three years at this point, but it was staring into this old carriage, knowing that 40 men or more were jammed into these sweltering hot carriages for days on end, was the stark reality of it all,” she said.

RSL organiser Christina Ross said the fundraising idea popped up when they went to ask for a couple of tickets to use as a prize for one of their quiz nights.

Orana Cinemas owner Ron Siemiginowski heard about the request and decided they could use the upcoming Film Harvest to fundraise for the Hellfire Pass trip.

“And then with Harold Martin coming down to be here as well, it just all seemed to fall into place,” Ms Ross said.

Tickets are available from Ms Ross on 0437 325 279, or at the door from 5.15pm, adults are $25, children and seniors are $20.

Food and drink will be available from 5.45pm, with the film starting at 7pm.