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- Anti-War Film Festival to oppose war & occupation the world over
By Ivan Drury
The weekend of December 16th and 17th Mobilization against War and Occupation
(MAWO) is organizing Vancouver’s fourth annual Anti-War film festival. This
Festival will include 22 documentary and feature films covering wars,
Occupations, and peoples’ struggles for justice from all around the world.
Below are short reviews of two of the most important films of the festival – but
There are many more than these! Check the Mobilization against War and
Occupation website for the full program and film details, www.mawovancouver.org
“End of the Land”
(2005 | Dir. Malek Shafi’i | Afghanistan)
Farsi-Dari with English subtitles
Afghanistan is in the news a lot these days in Canada. By turns, and depending
On the agenda of the story-teller, the Afghan people are shown as poor,
Innocent and attractive children and girls, anonymous women appearing as blue
Ghosts from ruins, or, nameless “evil” terrorists in beards. This film –
Appearing for the first time in North America – steals Afghanistan back for the
Afghan people.
The independent director, Malek Shafi’i, trains the camera over his own life,
And what he finds there is important to see for all people who are interested in
Justice and humanity. Beginning with a nearly absurdist bicycle trip for peace
through Afghanistan, Shafi’i leads us through the life of Afghan refugees in
Europe, the horror of being an Afghan abroad in the days following 9-11, and the
Return home…
There is no obvious light at the end of the tunnel in this anti-war film, but it
Is not hopeless. Quite the opposite, this film is important for people in Canada
to see, whether you oppose Canada’s occupation of Afghanistan or not. By showing
the Afghan people as people, End of the Land shows that the future of
Afghanistan lies with the people of Afghanistan, and that the occupation forces
Are just getting in the way of this progress. This is an important film.
For more info:
www.mawovancouver.org |
