UNITED NATIONS SCREENS "SCREAMERS" IN TOKYO

armradio.am
04.07.2008 17:38

"Screamers," the documentary about genocide in the last century, with
music by the Grammy award-winning rock band ‘System of a Down,’ was
featured last week at the United Nations Refugee Film Festival 2008 in
Tokyo, sponsored by UNHCR and Japan for UNHCR, Business Wire reported.

UNHCR called the festival a "vital component of UNHCR’s year round
action plan to raise awareness of the plight and triumph of the world’s
33 million refugees and internally displaced persons. A select array
of films from across the globe gives voice to seldom-heard stories
of hope, despair, and resilience. In line with World Refugee Day’s
theme for this year, the festival draws attention to the human side
of refugees."

"We included ‘Screamers’ in the festival this year because it looks
at the history of genocide and what is happening in Darfur–through
the eyes of history," says Festival Director Kirill Konin.

"Film is an important medium to introduce the many aspects of the
lives and circumstances of refugees across the world, and through this
entertainment vehicle, create better awareness and understanding,"
said Angelina Jolie, UNHCR’s Goodwill Ambassador.

"Screamers" examines the repeating pattern of genocide, from the
Armenian genocide, to the Holocaust, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, up
to Darfur today. After its theatrical release in the US and Canada,
the documentary was screened in the U.S. Congress, British Parliament
and European Parliament to raise awareness about Darfur and genocide
education. Sony BMG has recently launched "Screamers" DVD.

Director Carla Garapedian, who has made documentaries about Afghanistan
and Chechnya, led discussion sessions at the UNHCR Festival for
"Screamers" as well as "Letter to Anna," about the murder of Russian
journalist Anna Politkovskaya, directed by Eric Bergkraut, and "Kite
Runner," the uplifting story of truth and redemption in Afghanistan,
directed by Marc Foster. Director Steve Thomas was on-hand to discuss
his film "Hope" about the journey of an Iraqi refugee family to
Australia.

"We must remember history," said Garapedian. "After the Armenian
genocide, the U.S. opened its doors to thousands of refugee survivors
from Ottoman Turkey, including my family. If they hadn’t done that,
I wouldn’t be here."