17/02/2003 - 50 films about peace and non-violence showcased at the first World Film Festival of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with actors, producers and directors from 38 countries.

50 films about peace and non-violence showcased at the first World Film Festival of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with actors, producers and directors from 38 countries.

World cinema for peace

Cinema is the universal language of Europe and the World. 16 February saw the opening of the first-ever World Film Festival in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event is dedicated to peace and non-violence and kitted out in the most brilliant Oriental hues so that it’s universal message can be perceived and welcomed the world over.
One of the festival’s strongest supporters is Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohammed. Organised by the Malaysian Information Ministry with the assistance of eight incredibly talented young managers with a private agency who, in the short space of just three weeks, succeeded in bringing together actors, directors and producers from 38 countries to present 50 films on the subject of non-violence to the public.

"I thought about the violence in our world and how it has come to fill a large slice of our everyday lives," said the Prime Minister in his opening speech at the Festival. "I thought about our young people who are growing up in the shadow of images of war and violence. And I realised that only cinema has the ability to put across the true sentiments of peace and promote new and fundamental values of solidarity and tolerance".
The festival is taking place on the eve of the 13th Summit of the Non-Allied National Nations (NAN) scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur on 20-25 February, and saw the world’s film industry and its peacemakers come together to support a new and original form of pacifism through the medium of film.
Beneath the most magnificent display of fireworks display, the Malaysian prime minister personally welcomed and thanked the representatives of the world’s film industry who had answered his call and come to the festival. Italy, with the enthusiastic support of its Ambassador to Malaysia, Anacleto Felicani, presented The Profession of Arms by Ermanno Olmi; Spain screened Balseros (Cuban Rafter) about Cuban immigrants in Miami, and Germany, Nowhere in Africa [+see also:
trailer
film profile]. There were also films from Holland, Switzerland, France, Bosnia, Hungary, Albania, Australia, Iran, China, Thailand, India as well as Egypt, Namibia and Ghana.
The representatives of each country were preceded by their national flags, but the hope they all shared was the same one.
The festival will end on 18 February with the awards ceremony in the august presence of His Majesty, the King of Malaysia.

A symposium for peace

Following the Malaysian Prime Minister’s heartfelt speech in favour of world peace at the opening of the Kuala Lumpur International World Film Festival, peace and non-violence were very much the subjects of a symposium that was held on 18 February.
Addressing an audience that included all the participants at the first edition of this event, as well as a large number of film industry professionals from Malaysia and India, Malaysian Information Minister Tan Sri Khalil Yakoob underlined the importance of the role of cinema as a messenger of sentiments that are fundamental for the well-being of the human race, like solidarity and tolerance. “Cinema is one of the world’s biggest industries,” said Yakoob. “It gives work to thousands of people and is universally recognised as a precious and unique art form. That is why it must assume its responsibilities and support and disseminate the humanitarian message.

This is a responsibility that was shared by everyone present, be they producers, directors or distributors. “21st Century Man cannot afford to be disappointed again,” said Manuchehr Mohammadi, the Iranian producer of Under The Moonlight, the film that won the festival. "I have experienced just about everything, from political and racist discrimination, to poverty and violence. Art, and cinema in particular, can and must be at the service of mankind in the name of a new dignity."

Cinema is a reflection of the world and,as a consequence, also represents it and especially in educating the young: "The morality, ethics and even the attitudes adopted by actors are imitated by so many ordinary people, " continued Malaysian filmmaker Mahadi J. Murat, winner of the Brotherhood Award for his film, Sayang Salmah (My Dear Salmah). "Great care must be taken when using the incredibly persuasive power of cinema: we must try to avoid gratuitous violence and bloody scenes whose only purpose is to make a film more spectacular."

"The violence that exists in the world is not the fault of the directors who portray it in their work, " said Benjamin Philipovic, a director from Bosnia-Herzegovina. "Quite simply, cinema reflects what we are experiencing; discrimination and lack of harmony. And while cinema cannot stop all wars, I am absolutely convinced that it has the potential to become an extraordinary vehicle for promoting peace. "

Vince il cinema iraniano

Iran came to Malaysia and won. During a gala event organised in one of Kuala Lumpur’s most luxurious hotels, His Majesty, King Yang Di-Pertuan Agong XII presented the winners of the first World Film Festival with the Perdana Awards.
The festival was a huge success. The organisation was outstanding and without forgetting for a moment that the message of this event was peace and solidarity, there were also plenty of those festive sidebar events that are so important for successful film promotion. It is safe to say that Malaysia can now take up its rightful place alongside the world’s leading film festivals.
Escorted by a cortege of prancing paste dragons and horses, Iranian film director Reza Mir Karimi won the festival with his Under the Moonlight, winner of the Critics’ Award in Cannes 2001. Two Europeans were second and third: Austria’s Born in Absurdistan by Iranian director Houchange Allahyari and Germany’s Nowhere in Africa [+see also:
trailer
film profile] by Caroline Link. As well as winning a raft of international awards, this was also one of the lucky five titles nominated for an Oscar in the best foreign film category this year.

France takes home the Peace Prize for La Grand Illusion while the Humanity Award went to Malaysian director Mahadi J.Murat for Sayang Salmah.
Although he did not actually win an award, Italy’s The Profession of Arms was amongst the unofficial victors. Ermanno Olmi's film was a highlight of the screenings on 17 and 18 February in two of Kuala Lumpur’s multi-screens and, as well as conquering the audience, it got a new fan when no less a personage as the Italian Ambassador to Malaysia, Anacleto Felicani, announced the title was joining his personal film library of Italian masterpieces, which numbers around 250 films and videos about all aspects of Italian life, history and culture (all subtitled in English) that he regularly screens for Kuala Lumpur’s school and university students, as well as for fans of Italian cinema.
Kuala Lumpur’s first international film festival ended with traditional songs and dances, and, significantly, a royal promise made by His Majesty King Agung XII and shared by the Prime Minister for a new and improved edition next year. See you in 2004.