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United Nations screens `Screamers' in Tokyo

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  • United Nations screens `Screamers' in Tokyo

    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.'
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