Conflict And Refugees Main Focus Of Inaugural Film Showcase

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 December 2006 - Beyond the armed conflict, the widespread violence or serious public disturbances that befall any nation, are the images and stories of the millions who survive it against all odds. In a rare opportunity, Malaysians will have a chance to speak to a refugee who survived such conflicts, and an expert on conflicts and international humanitarian law.

For the first time in Malaysia, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), will showcase 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. 

While selected award-winning movies such as the critically acclaimed Hotel Rwanda, Marooned in Iraq, Molly and Mobarak and The Boy Who Plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan, provoke the senses, UNHCR and ICRC have arranged special dialogue sessions on Conflict and Refugees to stimulate the minds.

Discussion on Conflict
On Saturday, 10 December 2005 at 2pm, there will be a screening of Academy-Award winning The Killing Fields, followed by an open platform for discussion with ICRC expert Prof. Umesh Kadam, the ICRC's Regional Legal Adviser, on various humanitarian issues relating to today's conflicts in the world.

Discussion on Refugees
On Sunday, 11 December 2005 at 2pm, there will be a screening of "The Lost Boys of Sudan", followed by a rare opportunity to dialogue with a refugee woman on her real-life experiences fleeing from armed conflict, the journey she took for survival and her will to survive in Malaysia as a refugee. UNHCR Representative, Dr Volker Türk will also be present to take questions on the situation of refugees in Malaysia and around the world.

UNHCR and ICRC hope that this film showcase will help sensitise and enhance understanding amongst the Malaysian general public, particularly young people, of the communities and individuals that have suffered because of armed conflict and war.

This Film Showcase is being held in conjunction with Human Rights Day 2005, and is supported by the Asia Europe Institute, University of Malaya.

The Film Showcase is open to public. Admission is Free.