THE second Asian Film Festival in Jeddah promised to be a memorable affair on the inauguration on Saturday, with more than 400 nationals of the 14 participating Asian countries in attendance, including Saudi officials and diplomats and distinctive community members. The 13-day festival will run until March 19, with documentaries and feature films being showcased daily from participating countries. “I am glad we have got together once again for the Asian film festival; this is one of the best ways to promote cultural dialogue amongst various communities,” remarked Ambassador Muhammad Ahmed Tayeb, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Makkah region) while inaugurating the event. “I would like to congratulate all of you on this occasion, and I hope that Saudis will also come forward and share in these values because we want to promote peace in the world,” he added. The coordinator of the Asian Consuls General Club (ACGC) organized this festival. Consul General of Japan Toshimitu Itshigure also welcomed all the guests warmly, “we believe that with such events we will be able to understand each other better and contribute towards promoting mutual respect,” he said. He thanked Muhammad Ahmed Tayeb, for his remarkable support and cooperation, as well as Indonesian Consul General Gatot Abdullah Mansyur. Since the festival is being hosted at the Indonesian Consulate, the first film to be showcased was aptly from Indonesia. “Harmony in Diversity” is a documentary film by participants of the International Training on TV Documentary Program Production, and highlights the intercultural and interfaith cooperation amongst the community living in rural Yogjakarta. Indonesia's feature film “Denias, Hum Above the Cloud” was also screened on Saturday. The film is based on a true story about the struggle of an intelligent boy who yearns to study and encouraged by his teachers, leaves his village and embarks on a struggle to fulfill his dream. The movie is directed by John-De Rantau, produced by Ari Sihasale and stars Albert Fakdawer in the main role. “I am very proud to present this Asian film festival for the second time and I hope this will enlarge our vision and knowledge about each other's culture. It will also bring us and Saudi Arabia closer to each other,” remarked the Indonesian Consul General Gatot Abdullah Mansyur. He also expressed hope for presenting European and Asian films festivals jointly in the future. “We should appreciate Ambassador Muhammad Ahmed Tayeb for giving us this opportunity to telecast our films,” commented Abdul Latif Mohammed Lafeer, the Sri Lankan Consul General. Sri Lankan film “Aganthukaya” (The Outcast) is about the contemporary world. “The theme of the film is that good people always face problems,” commented Mr. Lafeer. The film depicts the personal conflict of a person who upholds justice, fair play and honesty as the prime values in life, to survive in a society that is politically dominated and still pay attention to moral codes, ethics and honesty. “This film festival is a great opportunity to know about the traditions, culture, and the art of movie making, acting, direction and so many other things that we don't know,” said Indian Consul General Sayeed Ahmed Baba. “On the closing ceremony it will be India's turn, and we have chosen the film “Taare Zameen Par” (Stars on Land) which is a very moving and touching film that has universal appeal and I am sure it will be a very popular,” he said. His words were mirrored by the Consul General of Pakistan, Zaighamuddin Azam. “This film festival is a new introduction to the Saudi Society through diplomatic initiative, and is a great opportunity for various Asian cultures to be displayed so we can better understand each other,” he stated. “Even last year the film festival was well organized and very informative films were shown. We have chosen the film “Khuda Kay Liye,” (For the sake of God) this year because this is the move which is the need of the hour, we have to show people that we are not terrorists but victims of terrorism,” he added on a sombre note. “This is the joint project of the ACGC and a very cooperative and coordinative endeavor by all of them. The best films from each country are participating,” remarked Philippine Consul General Leo Tito L. Ausan Jr. “Last time the Japanese movie was very good, and so we are expecting the same. The Philippine movie is about a woman and how she truly falls in love, but it is also a showcase of the beautiful sights of Quio Island located in central Philippines and I hope people will like it,” he added. Other films to be showcased in the festival from SouthAsia include Bangladeshi feature film “Sawponodanay” (On the wings of Dreams). “The film we have chosen is a very famous social film,” remarked Mohamed Golam Sarwar, the Bangladeshi Consul General. Apart from representatives from the participating countries, among those present were Saud Al- Sheikhi, Director General of Information (Makkah region) as well as Consuls General from the Swiss, Moroccan, Italian and Ethiopian Consul Generals. Saudi documentaries being showcased are based on Saudi culture and heritage such as “Heritage and Culture Tourism”, “Food Left Over”, “Innocent Dream”, and “A Child's Task”. The wife of the Italian Consul General Mrs. Valeria Santacesaria expressed her desire to watch the Saudi films. “This festival is very impressive, and it enables the sharing of cultures through movies. We support this film festival and we are eagerly awaiting the Saudi films so we will come to know more about Saudi culture and traditions,” she remarked. “I find this a very nicely organized festival, not only performance-wise but in seriously tackling themes. Every film has a message, and in a country where it's not very easy to get to watch movies, I find this to be a very nice service that is done in a very decent way,” said Adrien Evequoz, the Swiss Consul General. “In the future we would love to present films of various regions by participating European and Asian countries together at one arena,” he added.
