CELEBRATED Australian documentary maker Tom Zubrycki's intimate fly-on-wall portrait of East Timorese independence leader and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Jose Ramos Horta provides a compelling view of the machinations of the international community over his embattled state.

Horta, who was ambassador in exile for almost two and a half decades is a colourful, outspoken and often reluctant politician who is seen meeting with UN leaders, the US president and even phoning the pope for support as a string of crises unravel in war-torn East Timor.

Horta's struggle is made all the more poignant by the fact that in spite of his clear anger, frustration and pain he advocates a policy of peaceful reconciliation. A moving and thought-provoking portrait.