Saleh Fareed, Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — After 11 films from 11 different countries and in 11 different languages, the 6th Asian Film Festival ended on a colorful note Thursday. The two-week film festival in Jeddah, organized by the Asian Consuls General Club (ACGC), began on March 21st and ran until April 4th.
At the final day, Consul General of Bangladesh Mohammed Nazmul Islam said showcasing the films of different Asian countries and their cultures, arts and diversities remains to be the purpose of showing the Asian films. “I sincerely thank all, especially the members of the Asian Consul General Club for making tremendous contributions and providing important support to the festival,” he said.
He pointed out that this year’s festival featured 11 movies from Malaysia, the Philippines, India, Thailand, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Japan, China, Bangladesh, Singapore and Indonesia. The movies were screened at five different venues comprising the residences of the Korean, Japanese and Indonesian Consuls General and the Consulates of Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
At the opening of the festival, Malaysian Consul General Mohammed Khalid Abdul Razak said: “We are proud to be part of this festival since 2008 in order to share and showcase our art and culture.” “We had the honor to inaugurate the festival with the screening of a 4-minute documentary movie “Malaysia Your Getaway to Health & Wellness” and the romantic-historical movie “29 Februari”. Razak noted that Malaysia wanted to showcase the diversity of its races, mainly Malay, Chinese and Indian.
Speaking of his country’s participation, South Korean Consul General Shin Yong-gi said they showcased a film called “Pacemaker”, a story of determination wherein one man struggles to reach his goal against all the odds, to bring a positive message. “We dedicate the film’s message to the Saudi youth to reach their goal in sports. It is an inspirational story and every one should learn from it,” he said. He added: “Beyond entertainment and the joy of watching a movie, this gathering in fact symbolizes a real cross-fertilization of cultures.”
During the last night of the festival held at the premises of the Indonesian Consul General, hundreds of movie enthusiasts, diplomats and Saudi entrepreneurs enjoyed the Indonesian movie “Dream”. The participating countries had the opportunity to offer a taste of their food as well as culinary tradition and present their cultures through a series of documentaries and movies in several genres. As part of the closing ceremony, prizes were given, foods from different countries were served and documentary films and movies screened.
