Cinema Promotes Creative Talent And Cultural Diversity
18 March 2004
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| Lord Attenborough and Prince Edward attented the launch |
"The Commonwealth Film Festival is a celebration of friendship among Commonwealth people," said Secretary-General Don McKinnon at the launch of the event at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth Secretariat's headquarters in London, on 11 March 2004, where HRH The Earl of Wessex was the Guest of Honour.
"By bringing together film-makers, producers and actors from across the Commonwealth, from both developing and developed countries, the Festival encourages the creation of partnerships in the best tradition of Commonwealth co-operation," Mr McKinnon said.
" Through this amazing diversity, there emerges common themes, shared concerns and similar outlooks on the world. It is a clear manifestation of the talent and creativity that can be found among film-makers in the Commonwealth."
Lord Attenborough, who was also present, said the art of cinematography can have a great impact on the world in communicating the values of the Commonwealth and the feelings among its peoples.
Cinema can tell us about the country from where the film emanates, through the attitudes and feelings on display," said the veteran film-maker. "Cinema, which is primarily entertainment, has a means of bringing love, understanding and concern for one another."
Commonwealth Film Festival CEO Michael Fox said the event provides a meeting place for the exchange of ideas and the forging of partnerships, besides serving as a platform for debate.
"Moving image literacy is part of the toolkit of development in the 21st century, which is necessary to ensure that cultural goals of self-expression are matched with the political and economic goals that drive forward the well-being of all Commonwealth citizens."
A co-founder of the Commonwealth Film Festival, Mr Fox said the event, which premiered in 2002, could grow into a world-class festival featuring a range of cinema from across cultures.
"The culture that arises from this vast diversity is worth a lifetime's exploration -- and cinema is at the leading edge of that exploration -- as film-makers undertake journeys beyond the frontiers of their audience's knowledge, bringing back vibrant and powerful stories from a teeming world," said Mr Fox. "Our festival is dedicated to giving these stories a presence."
The 10-day film festival will see the screening of more than 250 feature films, documentaries and short films. They include Sue Brooks' award-winning Japanese Story starring Toni Colette, and the UK premieres of Scott Smith's 'Falling Angels' starring Oscar-nominee Miranda Richardson; Sudhir Mishra's political thriller, 'A Thousand Dreams Such As These'; and Vishal Bhardwaj's 'Maqbool', which portrays the Mumbai underworld.
The Third Commonwealth Film Festival is funded mainly by the North-West Development Agency that provides economic and cultural regeneration for the North-West of England.
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