Law event
60th anniversary of the UDHR
Human Rights Film Festival 2008
This year is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 1948. This occasion is being observed in all the countries with special attention. The world as it stands today is still far away from the pledge made by the nations of the world to ensure human rights, which are inherent rights of every human being irrespective of race, religion, class, and gender. The realisation of freedom that human civilization achieved over the devastation of wars, the aspiration that was formally recognised by the states' commitment has faded away as a result of continuous exploitation, deprivation and discrimination. But those who are still traversing through the dark believe that this crisis will lead to the prospect. People shall seek liberty beating all the confines.
Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has undertaken different programmes to observe the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human Rights Film Festival 2008 is one of them. Film is a powerful mass media. It has a tremendous impact on the emotions and feelings of the viewers. In addition to entertainment, as a medium of art, film has the ability to aesthetically address the important issues of society, culture and politics. It gives a live impression to the dilemma of human life, social barriers, crisis of relationship, conflicts and sufferings- at one side; and optimism, struggle and human effort to bring a change on the other. Movies can convey the message very easily through a lively presentation of the story, which is very difficult to convey otherwise. Thus, by way of generating social and cultural values, this medium has played very effective role in the progress of human rights movement both home and abroad, with a number of such films produced in Bangladesh.
The Festival will be inaugurated with a colourful rally at 3.30 pm on 16 November 2008. Professor Zillur Rahman Siddique will inaugurate the festival. It will be followed by a discussion. Celebrated film personalities will participate in the discussion, which will be presided by Sultana Kamal, former advisor to the caretaker government. Stop Genocide by Zahir Raihan and Jaijatra by Taukir Ahmed will be screened after that at Public Library Auditorium.
Three films on children will be screened on 17 November 2008 starting from 11.00 am to 12.30 pm. The films are Sromojibi Shishuder Shathe Amra, Sharot '71 and Ami Shei Meye. Short films will be played in the afternoon at 4.30 pm. The films are Grohonkal, Mondrito Kanshat, Bhetorer Manush and Shapnobhumi.
18 November 2008 is the closing day of the Festival. In the first session, from 11.00 am to 12.00 pm, three films for children, Ora Futonto Kuri, Shei Rater Kotha Bolte Eshechhi and Matir Moyna, will be displayed. At 3.30 pm a seminar will be held on the topic “Violence in Cinema: Our Concern”. In the evening Unaditto and Nacholer Rani will be screened. The closing ceremony of the Festival will be held at 9.00 pm with concluding remarks and vote of thanks from distinguished human rights activist Dr. Hameeda Hossain.
ASK is a human rights organisation. It was established in 1986. ASK started its journey with the aim to promote human rights, rule of law, secularism, social justice and democratic values with a strong foundation in the society. Besides providing legal aid to the women, children and the disenfranchised ASK has been involved in various activities for protection and promotion of fundamental human rights. ASK has played a proactive role in different national and international issues of human rights concern in its journey of over two decades. From its own experience and understanding ASK extended its activity to bring positive changes in the law and administrative system. To eradicate century-old false notions, illiberality and discrimination from the society ASK profoundly realise the necessity of social awareness and generating social values. This is the motivation behind all ASK's activities to promote and propagate progressive thoughts and democratic views. We hope Human Rights Film Festival 2008 will be an effective event to meet that aim.
Contact: Lucy Tripty Gomej (01711381364), Sayeed Ahmed (01711181152)
Ain o Salish kendra (ASK), 26/3 Purana Paltan Line, Dhaka- 1000, Phone: 8315851, 9337173.
