Conflict and Refugees Main Focus of Inaugural Film Showcase
9 December 2006 - Beyond the armed conflicts, the widespread violence and serious public disturbances that befall some countries, are the images and stories of the millions who survive them against all odds. In a rare opportunity, through international films, Malaysians will have the chance to view the humanity behind the wars, and the courage, resilience and strength of refugees who are compelled to leave their homes and families in order to survive.
For the first time in Malaysia, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), with the support of the Asia Europe Institute, University of Malaya, highlighted this theme in their Film Showcase entitled “War and Flight: The Need for Humanitarian Action”. This will run from 9 - 11 December 2005, at the Asia Europe Institute, University Malaya (Please see attached film schedule and synopsis). The showcase is open to public, and admission is free.
“UNHCR wishes to create a culture of understanding and compassion towards the plight of refugees among the Malaysian public through mediums that are accessible and popular with the mass, such as through the arts and cinema,” said Dr Volker Türk, UNHCR Representative.
“Refugees integrate in quiet ways within Malaysian society, till people sometimes do not realise they exist, or do not understand the circumstances that forced them to flee their homelands. We hope that this film showcase will bring to the forefront the conflict situations many refugees escape from, and the strength and courage it takes to rebuild their lives in foreign countries, with virtually nothing to their name but the clothes on their back.”
This is the first time that UNHCR has collaborated with the ICRC on a public event in Malaysia.
“The ICRC hopes that this film showcase, with movies such as The Killing Fields and Hotel Rwanda, will help sensitise and enhance understanding amongst the Malaysian general public, particularly young people. We seek to highlight the communities and individuals that have suffered because of armed conflict and war but are courageously coping and going on with the lives and building their future, with resilience and with dignity,” said Mr Werner Kaspar, ICRC Head of Regional Delegation.
“We hope the moderated discussion with ICRC’s Regional Legal Adviser will provide an energetic and open platform for members of the public to discuss various humanitarian issues relating to today’s conflicts.”
Special highlights:
