Though the news of war has been making headlines, it is the need for peace which has led to the curation of a film festival that tries to make a case for peace and non-violence. To add to this, the Peace Builders International Film Festival will also highlight the contribution of women in promoting and maintaining world peace.
Organised by Ekta Foundation Trust, International Gandhian Initiative for Nonviolence and Peace and Enable India Foundation, this three-day festival will have screenings of twenty-three movies including documentaries, animation films and fiction. These films are from counties such as Argentine, Afghanistan, Iran, Indonesia, Canada and Pakistan. “Some of the foreign filmmakers have also been invited to participate in the festival and talk about their works,” says Uma Tanuku, festival director .
Most of the films are based on women’s role in non-violence and conflict resolution, within their families, communities and the country at large. Tanuku adds, “This year we are completing 100 years of the first Satyagraha movements in Champaran district of Bihar, which were inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. To mark this celebration, we are coming up with this film festival.”
{{/usCountry}}Most of the films are based on women’s role in non-violence and conflict resolution, within their families, communities and the country at large. Tanuku adds, “This year we are completing 100 years of the first Satyagraha movements in Champaran district of Bihar, which were inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. To mark this celebration, we are coming up with this film festival.”
{{/usCountry}}Aaradhana Kohli Kapur, co-festival director adds, “This is the first film festival that promotes non-violence through world cinema.” Some of the significant films which will be showcased at the festival are The Look of Silence by Joshua Oppenheimer from Indonesia (based on 1960s Indonesian genocide), Lyari Notes by Maheen Zia and Miriam Chandy from India and Pakistan (a narrative of four young girls from Karachi), No More Tears Sister by Helene Kladowsky from Sri Lanka (story of Dr Rajani Thiranagama – a Sri Lankan Human Rights activist who was shot at the age of thirty-five), Silence in the Courts by Prasanna Vithanage from Sri Lanka (based on denial of justice to two women) and Us Women Them Women by Julia Pesce from Argentina (around the stories of nine women and the last summer they spend together).
Wonder why contribution of women in peace is the focus? Tanuku says, “There are very few men who talk about peace. Be it a house or a country, it is usually women who take the initiative to avoid conflict. We wrote to filmmakers all over the world, to recommend us the films and we therefore selected these acclaimed works films to honour women who have tried endlessly to bring peace.
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What: Peace Builders International Film Festival
Where: Kamaladevi Compex, India International Centre, New Delhi
When: October 11 to 13
Timings: 9.30am - 6.30pm
Nearest Metro Station: Jor Bagh on Yellow Line