Posted by jp in - From John Priddy
Laura Waters Hinson during Prague Q&A
Award-winning director Laura Waters Hinson was on hand for the feature screening of her documentary, “As We Forgive,” on Day 2 of the second annual Windrider Forum / Angelus Student Film Festival in Europe, this time, in beautiful Prague, Czech Republic. This stunning film has garnered numerous awards including being named Best Documentary at the Angelus Student Film Festival and receiving both a Student Academy Awards Gold Award and a Heartland Film Festival Crystal Heart.
“As We Forgive” was a perfect fit for the festival’s Day 2 international workshop theme, “Cinema: Going Beyond the Barriers,” because it focuses on a reconciliation project in Rwanda, and poses the question: “Could you forgive a person who murdered your family?”
If you’ve been following my blogs, you’ll know that I’m recapping the four-day event in Prague, day by day. Here’s what happened Saturday, March 7 (“Day 2”):
Nedo Pozzi, Director of NetOne International
We were guests of NetOne at the beautiful Focolare Mariopolis Conference Centre and greeted by Nedo Pozzi, director of NetOne International, who shared with us the organization’s history and vision. It intrigued me to note that NetOne’s vision is not unlike that of Windrider. Both groups are developing global networks around the concept of cinema, media and conversation. And, both are coming together and contributing to the conversation around the most important themes of our times. For example, Pozzi pointed out that the United Nations has declared 2009 the Year of Reconciliation, a theme close to the hearts of those gathered.
Excerpt of the U.N proclamation — link
“The UN General Assembly has proclaimed 2009 the International Year of Reconciliation (A/61/L.22) to recognize that ‘reconciliation processes are particularly necessary and urgent in countries and regions of the world which have suffered, or are suffering, situations of conflict that have affected and divided societies in their various internal, national and international facets.’ This resolution invites international and non-governmental organizations as well as governments to support reconciliation processes among divided societies. It also asks them to plan and implement adequate cultural, educational and social programmes to promote the concept of reconciliation including holding seminars and conferences in order to disseminate information on this issue.”
Journalist/author Michele Zanzucchi presented “The Values of NetOne,” and Maria Rosa Logozzo a member of NetOne’s central commission for new media and computer sciences, discussed the theme of reconciliation, media and NetOne’s efforts to use “new media” around the world as a reconciliation tool.
Maria Rosa Logozzo
The first film of the day was “The Colors of Love, the Art of Marko Ivan Rupnik,” followed by a Q&A session with director Maria Amata Calò and screenwriter Aurelio Molè.
Maria Amata Calò and screenwriter Aurelio Molè
We were then treated to the amazing documentary, “Love your Enemies,” a film that explores a poignant journey of reconciliation in the Czech Republic.
Ralph Winter graciously gave his time and expertise, serving on several panels and moderating two Q&A’s with film makers. I joined him, Belgian producer Eric Hendricks, and filmmakers Jose Iglesias Vigil and Hilla Medalia for a panel on how cinema and media can help us go beyond the barriers that so often divide people and places.
Prague Q&A
The day ended with the amazing, “As We Forgive.” Waters Hinson, was on hand for the Q&A session before a packed-out house of more than 150 people. She shared details about the Living Bricks campaign, a practical reconciliation initiative that aims to restore hearts and homes in Rwanda after the destruction of the 1994 genocide. Living Bricks equips repentant genocide perpetrators with the tools to build much-needed housing for their victims’ families, establishing new villages where former killers and survivors live together again as neighbours.
Viewing “As We Forgive,” and learning about the Living Bricks campaign, seemed the perfect ending to a highly reflective, thought-provoking day. A big thank you to NetOne, the local Focolore community of Prague and our ever present activities director, Carlos Bajo, who constantly got us to where we needed to be, on time and with minimal bags under our eyes.
If you missed the Prague Day One Recap: You can check it out here.
Images from Windrider Prague 2009.
