In 1945-46 Indonesians, Indians, Chinese and Australian trade unions blockaded Dutch shipping in Australia to defend the newly declared Republic of Indonesia. Dutch filmmaker Joris Ivens resigned as Film Commissioner for the Netherlands East Indies and made ‘Indonesia Calling’, a film documenting the trade union’s actions. This new, feature documentary revisits Australia’s early relationship to it’s northern neighbor, Indonesia, and the impact of Joris Ivens’ small film on an emerging Australian film culture. Made with passionate commitment, ‘Indonesia Calling’ provoked a covert response from the state, while helping to create a fertile ground for independent documentary in Australia.