First Ever Demilitarized Zone International Documentary Film Festival
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Korea is about to add to its burgeoning number of film festivals with the DMZ International Documentary Film Festival. As well as directly being the subject of documentaries itself, the DMZ abound with history and bloodshed is not just the subject of a myriad of documentaries but a symbol of a country divided that intrinsically embodies a greater hope for unification and peace. The DMZ, roughly 248 kilometers long and 4 kilometers wide, cuts the entire country in half. In 1958 the armistice that was put in place signaled the world's longest cease fire that continues, albeit blemished with skirmishes, right up today. Both North Korea and South Korea are still technically at war.
Unfortunately though, divided countries, divided families, violence, war, and dangerous confrontational ideologies are issues that confront many people across the world. Therefore, according to organizers, the DMZ International Documentary Film Festival will focus on films that raise awareness of human rights abuses, violence and war around the world and ultimately focus on peace. Under the banner, 'Peace, Communication and Life' the festival will also encompass workshops, discussions with various leaders and peace makers, and also group hikes traversing the length of the infamous line. An army of 'civilian troupes', student volunteers will be a part of these events signifying the ramifications of war and peace on the younger generation. Keeping it local, the Daeseong Elementary School will hold the festival opening, screenings will take place at the Paju Unification Observatory overlooking the infamous line and festival goers can tour Paju on bicycles and take park in live performances by indie bands.
The opening film is Heart of Jenin a German documentary by Leon Geller and Marcus Vetter about a boy, Ahmed Khatib, who was killed in the West Bank when his toy gun was mistaken for a real gun. Under the DMZ Choice section screens 10 Conditions of Love an Australian film about Rebiya Kadeer an activist in China who fights for the rights of her people, an Islamic minority called the Uyghur. Significantly, this documentary has incited controversy around the world in each festival it has played causing the Chinese Government to step in to try and prevent its screening. Playing at the International Competition, "The Border City 2", screened at the 14th Pusan International Film Festival, is a film about a Korean Professor, who, after living in Germany comes back to Korea only to be labeled a communist spy and then held in jail. On the lighter side, Zombie Girl the Movie, playing under the Global Vision section profiles 12 year old American, Emily Hagins, who, with the help of her producer Mum, shoots her own zombie feature. The 60 to 70 other films playing come from diverse countries such as Israel, Slovaki, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and Mexico.
The festival is being organized by The Gyeonggi Digital Contents Agency, the Kyeonggi Film Commission and Paju City. The Kyeonggi region borders North Korea and runs much of the length of the DMZ. The festival opens Wednesday October 21 through to the 26th. Information (in Korean) about the festival can be gained at http://dmzdocs.co.kr
David Oxenbridge (KOFIC)
Unfortunately though, divided countries, divided families, violence, war, and dangerous confrontational ideologies are issues that confront many people across the world. Therefore, according to organizers, the DMZ International Documentary Film Festival will focus on films that raise awareness of human rights abuses, violence and war around the world and ultimately focus on peace. Under the banner, 'Peace, Communication and Life' the festival will also encompass workshops, discussions with various leaders and peace makers, and also group hikes traversing the length of the infamous line. An army of 'civilian troupes', student volunteers will be a part of these events signifying the ramifications of war and peace on the younger generation. Keeping it local, the Daeseong Elementary School will hold the festival opening, screenings will take place at the Paju Unification Observatory overlooking the infamous line and festival goers can tour Paju on bicycles and take park in live performances by indie bands.
The opening film is Heart of Jenin a German documentary by Leon Geller and Marcus Vetter about a boy, Ahmed Khatib, who was killed in the West Bank when his toy gun was mistaken for a real gun. Under the DMZ Choice section screens 10 Conditions of Love an Australian film about Rebiya Kadeer an activist in China who fights for the rights of her people, an Islamic minority called the Uyghur. Significantly, this documentary has incited controversy around the world in each festival it has played causing the Chinese Government to step in to try and prevent its screening. Playing at the International Competition, "The Border City 2", screened at the 14th Pusan International Film Festival, is a film about a Korean Professor, who, after living in Germany comes back to Korea only to be labeled a communist spy and then held in jail. On the lighter side, Zombie Girl the Movie, playing under the Global Vision section profiles 12 year old American, Emily Hagins, who, with the help of her producer Mum, shoots her own zombie feature. The 60 to 70 other films playing come from diverse countries such as Israel, Slovaki, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and Mexico.
The festival is being organized by The Gyeonggi Digital Contents Agency, the Kyeonggi Film Commission and Paju City. The Kyeonggi region borders North Korea and runs much of the length of the DMZ. The festival opens Wednesday October 21 through to the 26th. Information (in Korean) about the festival can be gained at http://dmzdocs.co.kr
David Oxenbridge (KOFIC)
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