Film festival 'a window on the world'

July 31, 2007

The 4th Armidale International Film Festival, from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 August, includes a number of award-winning films as well as the Australian premiere screening of the Yemeni film A New Day in Old Sana'a.

Held at the Belgrave Twin Cinema with the cooperation of Services UNE, the festival draws on the knowledge of present and past academic staff members in the disciplines of languages and linguistics at UNE in bringing this unique event to the New England region. This year, the organising committee has welcomed Ann Pettigrew as the Patron of the festival.

One of the festival's major aims is to increase cultural awareness and to gain valuable insights into other cultures through the medium of film. In a single weekend, you will be able to enter the different cultures of France, Spain, Sweden, Germany, Korea, Palestine, Yemen, Mexico, Belgium, China, India, Italy and Russia.

The 13 films – all subtitled – will cover international politics, myth and fantasy, romance, music, drama, social issues, and a bit of light-relief comedy. From the Oscar-winning Das Leben der Anderen ("The Lives of Others") which transports us into East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall, to the political "Bollywood" film The Scent of Saffron, to the beauty and power of music in Så som i himmelen ("As it is in Heaven"), there is something to suit everyone's tastes.

The romantic comedy A New Day in Old Sana'a, filmed entirely on location in the ancient Yemeni city of Sana'a, is the first feature ever to come out of Yemen and offers unique insights into Middle Eastern culture.

Tickets are available at the Belgrave Twin Cinema (on 02 6772 2856). The Festival Pass for all 13 films costs $80, and there are 5-film and 3-film passes. For more information concerning the Armidale International Film Festival see www.opus-b.com/iff or contact Caroline Downer on 0428 959 067 or iff@une.edu.au.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at July 31, 2007 11:15 AM