The initial segments of this documentary brought to mind what it might have been like for the Inca when Pizarro arrived centuries earlier, making his presence known among people who had never encountered Europeans. The individuals these islanders did encounter were Australian prospectors who’d ventured inland from their struggling coastal communities in New Guinea, hoping to find gold. We're then presented with a remarkable selection of archival footage from this untouched region dating back to the 1930s, where life for the native inhabitants had remained largely unchanged for countless generations. It's clear that these newcomers possessed superior weaponry and were positioned to dominate the less advanced culture they found, but despite some initial losses, a noticeable level of cooperation developed between the two groups, something this film effectively conveys. The narration is complemented by candid accounts from both the indigenous people—many appearing somewhat out of place in shirts and ties—and the explorers, who seem more inclined toward collaboration than one might anticipate. Naturally, much of the documentary’s focus rests on a foundation of colonial attitudes that can make it difficult to watch through a modern lens; however, these perspectives were common, even seemingly harmless, during the filming period and are sometimes just as revealing as the beautiful scenery captured on film. The tribes often come across as if they're children captivated by their visitors’ appearance and technology, particularly their airplanes. The narration states plainly that there were labor problems on the island, so we quickly see a large number of people involved in traditional exploitative practices like panning and mining. One miner makes a condescending remark suggesting this was voluntary and enjoyable! I have to question that. Setting aside the political aspects, if you can manage it, this is an exceptionally well-made look at a unique and welcoming culture that seemed willing to accept these visitors—though their prospects of benefiting from any wealth discovered were minimal. It would be truly interesting to see a follow-up documentary examining the situation forty years later.

Source on TMDB