This year from April 12-22nd, Filmfest DC brought over 80 international films to the capitol. In its 26th year, the festival put together an engaging 10-day event with 3 special series: The Lighter Side, a focus on International Comedies, Justice Matters, a collection of films about social justice, and Caribbean Journeys, featuring new films from Jamaica, Cuba, Trinidad, the Dominican Republic, and more.
In the Justice category, the number one must-see is The Island President.
The Island President
Jon Shenk, USA, 2011, 101 minutes, color
The Maldives holds recognition as a country but it is in actuality a collection of 1,200 small islands in the Indian Ocean. It is for this very reason however that the entire country finds itself in danger of being washed away by rising ocean levels as global warming takes its toll. The country itself desires to move into the future with the rest of the world, as shown through their first democratic presidential elections of 2008, but may not be able to do so if their country continues to be threatened by the growing tides. The film follows the journey of the president elected during those first elections, Mohamed Nasheed as he faces the bleak prospects of his country’s future.
As he tries to convince international superpowers that danger is imminent, Nasheed faces extreme difficulty speaking against climate change, an intangible enemy. The film shows Nasheed’s bold stand at the 2009 Copenhagen Summit where he pleads on behalf of an agreement between countries to reduce their carbon emissions and asks other countries to pay attention to the affliction of his people. Despite his valiant efforts during his time in office, a violent coup d’état forced Nasheed out of office in favor of the former Maldives dictator.
Other Must-Sees
5 Broken Cameras
Emad Burnat, Guy Davidi, Palestine /Israel/France, 2011 90 minutes, color
Big Boys Gone Bananas!
Fredrik Gertten, Sweden, 2012, 88 minutes, color
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FilmFest DC Movie Review: Justice Category
May 16, 2012
This year from April 12-22nd, Filmfest DC brought over 80 international films to the capitol. In its 26th year, the festival put together an engaging 10-day event with 3 special series: The Lighter Side, a focus on International Comedies, Justice Matters, a collection of films about social justice, and Caribbean Journeys, featuring new films from Jamaica, Cuba, Trinidad, the Dominican Republic, and more.
In the Justice category, the number one must-see is The Island President.
The Island President
Jon Shenk, USA, 2011, 101 minutes, color
The Maldives holds recognition as a country but it is in actuality a collection of 1,200 small islands in the Indian Ocean. It is for this very reason however that the entire country finds itself in danger of being washed away by rising ocean levels as global warming takes its toll. The country itself desires to move into the future with the rest of the world, as shown through their first democratic presidential elections of 2008, but may not be able to do so if their country continues to be threatened by the growing tides. The film follows the journey of the president elected during those first elections, Mohamed Nasheed as he faces the bleak prospects of his country’s future.
As he tries to convince international superpowers that danger is imminent, Nasheed faces extreme difficulty speaking against climate change, an intangible enemy. The film shows Nasheed’s bold stand at the 2009 Copenhagen Summit where he pleads on behalf of an agreement between countries to reduce their carbon emissions and asks other countries to pay attention to the affliction of his people. Despite his valiant efforts during his time in office, a violent coup d’état forced Nasheed out of office in favor of the former Maldives dictator.
Other Must-Sees
5 Broken Cameras
Emad Burnat, Guy Davidi, Palestine /Israel/France, 2011 90 minutes, color
Big Boys Gone Bananas!
Fredrik Gertten, Sweden, 2012, 88 minutes, color
