Jeddah’s Asian Film Festival comes of age
FILM DIPLOMACY: Asian Consuls General Club (ACGC) coordinator Japanese Consul General Toshimitsu Ishigure, center, with his wife, and Indonesian Consul General Gatot Abdullah Mansyur enjoy a movie during the 3rd annual Asian Film Festival in Jeddah. (AN photo)
Published: Mar 10, 2010 02:32 Updated: Mar 10, 2010 18:04
THREE years in a row and Jeddah’s Asian Film Festival has matured into an event that finds pride of place in the regional arena. Asian Consuls General Club Jeddah hosted the 2010 Asian Film Festival at three different venues — the consulates of Japan, Sri Lanka and Brunei — with astounding success.
The club members, who were present at most of the screenings from Feb. 17 to March 1, gave the credit to Japanese Consul General Toshimitsu Ishigure, coordinator of the club, for his exceptional interest in films and organizational skills. Fowzan Mulla of ATEICO Communications assisted him in preparing the logistics.
Fourteen countries screened their documentaries and feature films during the festival. Among the six Saudi films screened was “Alhissen” (The Castle), a documentary that speaks about Fifa, an evergreen mountainous area in the southern region of the Kingdom that has tourist potential but does not attract tourism. “I don’t think this place is in the Kingdom. It might be in Lebanon!” was a cryptic comment from a Saudi woman in the audience.
Three other Saudi films screened addressed the plight of the people suffering from various disabilities. Titled “The Silence,” “Original,” and “Rain,” the movies highlighted the life of middle class individuals who find difficulty coping with their disabilities. The Silence, which narrates the story of Khaled, a young boy, and his sister whose parents die in an accident, received much attention from the audience with even kids staring at the screen all through. The cartoon film “The adventures of Nammoul” directed by Mohammed Al-Obeid was also keenly watched. Sameer Arif’s “Eyes Without Soul” received praise.
Ramchand Pakistani, which drew much appreciation, is a Pakistani film that tells a true story about a boy who inadvertently crosses the border between Pakistan and India, and the ordeal that his family has to go through. Indian actress Nandita Das plays Champa, a Pakistani Hindu woman who is left desolate when her young son and husband disappear one day from their village at the Pakistan-India border near Nagarparkar, in Tharparkar. Nandita is the only non-Pakistani actor in the large cast comprising well known Pakistani TV and stage personalities including Rashid Farooqi, Noman Aijaz, Maria Wasti, Zhalay Sarhadi, Syed Fazal Ahmed, (who plays the title role) Farooq Pario, Shahood Alvi, Adarsh Ayaz, Salim Mairaj, Tipu, and Navaid Jabbar. The movie, a work of Pakistan’s ace director Mehreen Jabbar, reflects on the June 2002 period of extreme, war-like tension between the two countries. The film portrays a true picture of how the people living close to the border unknowingly cross into each other’s territory and how they are used by both the nations as pawns to negotiate and prove each other’s point.
Two of Sri Lanka’s documentaries captured the attention of potential tourists from the audience. “Booming Excellence” featured the resplendent isle, a perpetual showcase of arts and crafts. “North-South Train in Sri Lanka” was the other Sri Lankan documentary shown. One of the movies that kept the audience spellbound was Bangladesh’s “Amar Ache Jol,” which has the story of a love triangle, with well known litterateur Humayun Ahmed scripting and directing it. Singapore’s “Kallang Roar the Movie” is a 2008 sports film on Singapore national football team’s legendary coach Choo Seng Quee (played by Lim Kay Siu). The film shows the events leading up to Singapore winning the Malaysia Cup in 1977, including the epic semi-final match against Selangor and the final against Penang.
Indonesian film “the Laskar Pelangi (The Rainbow Troops), released in 2008, was equally appreciated. It is a film adaptation of Andrea Hirata’s literary work that first appeared on shelves in 2004, based on his childhood memories. Set in the Sumatra island of Belitong, the film opens with the adult returning to his birthplace after a number of years away. From there it flashes back his first day at school with two teachers who have been eagerly waiting for students to enroll at their decrepit Islamic primary school. The film sensitively captures the struggles of marginalized citizens to achieve their dreams, the beauty of friendship and its ability to save humanity against the background of what was once one of Indonesia’s richest islands. Directed by Riri Reza, the movie with Cut Mini and Ikranagara in the lead roles is a very moving one without being overly sentimental.
“Bagong Buwan” was the movie from Philippines. Against the backdrop of vast and beautiful greenery spreading over the mountains, rich blue waters, and lush forests, the Islamic prayer songs of the Bangsamoro people are heard. A crippled child is seen walking along with his parents toward a mosque, a victim of war. It is one of the rarest of Filipino films, which takes a smart, unflinching, and heartbreaking look at the war in Mindanao between the Philippine government (during President Joseph Estrada’s short stint) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), primarily through the eyes of the Bangsamoro (or Moros as they are more popularly known). But it is more than that. It is also a story of one man’s beliefs being challenged by war, and in telling his ordeal. The love and care that went into the making of this movie is so evident that it is a marvel, a rare and special gift from the film’s creators to its Filipino audience. Its story revolves around Dr. Ahmad Ismael (Cesar Montano), who grew up in Mindanao (and wed there) but works in Manila as a surgeon. He discovers that his young son has been killed by Christian vigilantes and goes home to grieve for him with his nurse-wife Fatima (Amy Austria), and his mother Bae Farida (Caridad Sanchez). Upon arriving, he comes in conflict with his rebel leader-brother Musa (Noni Buencamino) due to their clashing ideals, but still strives to treat the victims around him, regardless of what religion they belong to. Directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya, the film in Tagalog was released in 2001.
Malaysia’s “The Adventure Begins” (Upin & Ipin the Movie) screened was the country’s first 3D animated feature film, which was endorsed by the Malaysia Book of Records. The film, released in 2009, features the fictional young twins Upin ad Ipin who won two major awards at the 22nd Malaysian Film Festival. Bored with nothing to do for their school holidays, Lim joins Badrol on a camping trip to this old village where he grew up. Their trip to Badrol’s grandfather durian orchard turns into an exciting adventure with the discovery of a clue that leads them closer to the legend of a mystery house deep in the forest. Together with their newly found friends, Rajoo “The Animal-Whispering Boy,” Rose “The Village Beauty,” and her two mischievous twin brothers “Upin and Ipin,” they work to unravel the secrets surrounding the small village. Upin and Ipin, started as an animated series produced by Malaysian animation house Les’ Copaque Production, was earlier aired on television in Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey and Disney Channel Asia.
“A Sea of Love” was Brunei’s feature film, which portrays the life of Haji Salam, a well-respected old man in the community. Haji Salam has a son and a daughter. His son Salleh is the envy of the town because of his successful businesses. Salleh is only concerned about his materialistic life and ignores his responsibility toward the family. Haji Salam’s daughter, Halimah, on the other hand is less fortunate. She is married to Omar who earns a very meager sum to support the family. One day a fight erupts between the two siblings over a missing necklace. The fight threatens the harmony of the family, which now depends on Haji Salam. The film was produced by Farzmmin Studio and released in 2001.
Japan, Korea, India, China and Thailand had their share of the feature films. “Where is my Home” was the much acclaimed Chinese movie, while India screened “Om Shanti Om,” Korea “Le Grand Chef” and Japan “Always — Sunset on Third Street Part 2.” All the films screened were in their native languages with English subtitles.
