03/07/2024
PNG National Film Institute announces the death of Mr. Bike Johnson, Papua's most notable film maker. EPM sends condolences to His family, friends a all at the NFI.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
"PAPUA NEW GUINEA LOST AN EXPERIENCED FILM-MAKER 🎥."
Papua New Guinea and the National Film Institute under the National Cultural Commission of Papua New Guinea has lost one of PNG's few remaining experienced film-makers in the passing of Late Bike (Baekoe) Johnstone.
Late Bike hails from Moimo Village, Agarabi LLG area in Kainantu District and raised at Rongo Station in Lufa District. He under took his primary education at Rongo Primary School and completed his high schooling at Asaroka Lutheran High School.
He was selected to further his studies at PNG University of Technology and Skul Bilong Wokim Piksa (Film School) concurrently.
After a month at Uni-tech in Lae, he had a change of heart and decided to come back to Skul Bilong Wokim Piksa (now renamed to the National Film Institute) and the rest is history.
Late Bike Johnstone, is amongst Papua New Guinea's 2nd Generation of film-makers, other notable ones are; Martin Maden, Pengau Nengo, Lionie Kanawi, Kumain Kolain, Ruth Ketau, Sailas Mutarane, Dominic Sengi and others.
The first Generation of film-makers were the remnants of the former Office of Information (OIC). Some notable ones are; John Himugu, Late Albert Toro, Rabura Aiga, Lahui Geita and others.
Many have passed through SBWP over the years amongst them are; Rodney Sinaune, Late Ignatius Talania, Hillary Kafafi, Late Jossey Dilu and others are 6th Generation of film-makers who've passed through this film School.
Late Bike Johnstone's filmic journey in practicing the art of film-making is colourful and remarkable in itself. He left SBWP for PNG's first inaugural Television Broadcasting Station called Niugini Television Network (NTN) in 1987. Media Niugini (EMTV) came into operations a year or two later.
However his employment at NTN was short lived after it closed down indefinitely when it's parent Australian company Newcastle Broadcasting Network (NBN) crashed in the stock market trading after a year in operation.
He came back to SBWP in 1990 and continued working there until his passing on Wednesday 19th of June 2024.
Some of his many highlights is; his involvement as one of the crew member amongst the international film crew, filming a popular Carmel Trophy Cigarette on 35 mil film format at two different locations, Wawoi Falls in Southern Highlands and Hoskins in West New Britain Province.
On behalf of Niugini Digital Films and RURAL TV Papua New Guinea (RTVPNG), we wish to expressed our deepest and sincere condolences to elder sister Ruth J Ketau with the immediate and extended families for untimely loss of our colleague, mentor, brother, inlaw and our source of inspiration, Late Bike Johnstone.
Late Johnstone had been the rock of our foundation and inspiration over many years which is simply immeasurable, beyond words. We will truly value this forever.
May you rest in eternal peace, knowing that you've left a legacy behind, amongst us. Your undivided support will certainly live on, in our hearts.
So long my beloved elder brother, colleague, friend, mentor and in-law for the our memories.
Families here in Goroka, Kainantu and National Film Institute (Skul Bilong Wokim Piksa) will treasure the memories and surely miss you for now but have hope, beyond any reasonable doubt that we will meet you on the Golden Morning.
Rest easy champ 😪😪😪.
