The Movies
Feature Films
 At
5 in the Afternoon
by Samira Makhmalbaf, Iran/ France 2003,
105 min., feature film, 35 mm, colour, OmeU
Young Iranian film-maker Samira Makhmalbaf, recently awarded
in Cannes, tells in poetic film language about a girl in destroyed
post-Taliban Afghanistan, who tries to deal with new liberties
and old limitations. (Alamode Film Distribution)
 Baran
by Majid Majidi, Iran 2001, 94 min., feature film,
35 mm, colour, OmU
An Afghan refugee girl in Iran is forced to work on a construction
site disguised as a boy to support her family. She faces difficulties
as well as surprises. A sensible boy - discovering her secret
- falls in love with her. This poetic Iranian film was awarded
„Best foreign film“ at the Berlin film festival
2001. (Alamode Film Distribution)
Bollywood Hollywood
by Deepa Mehta, Canada 2002, 105 min.,
feature film, colour, 35 mm, OmU
This funny comedy describes the life of an Indian family
living in Canada. Their son Rahul is resisting an arranged
marriage. But when he gets to know the self-confident Indian
woman Sue, he realises that even his mother
is not as old-fashioned as he had thought... (Central Distribution)
 Ehekrieg
(Adam’s Rib)
by George Cukor, USA 1949, 95 min.,
feature film, video, black and white, OmU
Director George Cukor’s most famous film about the
battle of the sexes – between two married lawyers. The
relationship of Amanda (actress:Kathrin Hepburn) and Adam
Bonner is strained while both are trial attorneys on opposite
sides of the same attempted murder, -marital case (he as the
prosecutor, she as the defendant). The turbulent plot line
serves as the backdrop for the daring exposition of feminist
principles and an examination of sex-role stereotyping. It
is amazing that the discussion
on emancipation is still not out-of date.
 Fire
by Deepa Metha, India 1997, 104 min.,
feature film, 35 mm, colour, OmU
Two Indian women marked by frustration are suffering a great
deal in their arranged marriages. They find consolation and
erotic excitement in their mutual affection. This evokes violent
reactions within their surroundings. Film-maker Deepa Mehta
was equally attacked by violent Indian fundamentalists.
(Filmwelt distribution)
 In
the Time of the Butterflies
German premiere
by Mariano Barroso, USA 2001, 95 min.,
feature film, video, colour, EF
A drama about the three Mirabal sisters, who were murdered
because of their participation in the resistance against dictator
Trujillo of the Dominican Republic. The 25th of November as
the International Day “NO to violence against women”
is dedicated to the Mirabal sisters.
 Jalla!
Jalla!
by Josef Fares, Sweden 2000, 88 min.,
feature film, 35 mm, colour, OmU
A spirited comedy about a Lebanese immigrant family in Sweden,
who want their son Roro to marry a girl of their choice, called
Yasmin. But Roro is madly in love with his Swedish girlfriend
Lisa and Yasmin mixes up everything to prevent getting
married. (Kinowelt Film Distribution)
 Kadosh
by Amos Gitaï, Israel/ France 1998, 110 min.,
feature film, 35 mm, colour, OmU
In the oppressive atmosphere of the Jewish-orthodox quarter
Mea Shearim in Jerusalem two women are faced with the merciless
demands of the inaccessible community. One is forced to divorce
because her marriage is childless and the other is forced
to marry a religious man instead of the one
she loves. Will they finally give in? (Pegasos Distribution)
 Lilja4-ever
by Lukas Moodyson, Sweden / Denmark 2002,
109 min., feature film, 35 mm, colour, OmU
A moving drama about a Russian girl who is being deceived
by slave traders and forced to work in Sweden as a prostitute.
This film came as a shock for Swedish politics and provoked
a passionate debate about trafficking in women. (Arsenal/Central
Film Distribution)
 Real
Women have Curves
by Patricia Cardoso
USA 2002, 90 min., feature film, 35 mm, colour, OmU
A young Mexican girl living in the US. produces clothes in
a sweat shop, but would rather like to study at a university.
She daringly questions the traditional ideas of her Mexican
family with respect to her feminine role as well as the US-fashion,
which proclaims the appearance of a skinny model as the highest
aspiration of a young woman. (Alamode Film
Distribution)
Rot und Blau
by Rudolf Thome, Germany 2002, 112 min.,
feature film, 35 mm, colour, DF
A humorous look on a woman (starring Hannelore Elsner) confronted
with her 20 year-old Turkish daughter. As a result of the
failed marriage of her parents the young girl did not have
any contact with her mother for almost two decades. Finally
she has set out to meet her German mother, wanting to get
to know her. (Academy
Films Distribution)
 Secret
Ballot (Geheime Wahl)
by Babak Payami, Iran 2001, 105 min.,
feature film, 35 mm, colour, OmU
A satiric comedy about an enthusiastic and energetic young
Iranian woman, setting out for an island in the Persian Gulf.
She will fulfil her role as election supervisor, under the
suspicious looks of smugglers and
illiterate shepherds. (Kairos Film Distribution)
 Silent
Waters (Kamosh Pani)German premiere
by Sabiha Sumar, Germany/ France/ Pakistan 2003,
110 min., feature film, 35mm, colour, OmeU
The widow Ayesha (actress: Selma Hayek) is leading a quiet
and peaceful life in Pakistan. But when her son Saleem joins
an Islamic fundamentalist group everything falls apart. Her
long-hidden secret is revealed, which goes back to the time
of separation between India and Pakistan. (Flying Moon/ Academy
Films Distribution) Director
present
 The
Little Republic (Swaaraj)
by Anwar Jamal India 2002, 90 min., feature film,
35 mm, colour, OmeU
One million women elected into village councils in India
are fighting hard to enforce the interests of families and
children. Who will succeed in the little desert village in
Rajasthan? The men demanding the construction of a road or
the women fighting for the necessary water pipeline? A bittersweet
sarcastic film from India, based on a true story. (Sehjo Singh
Production)
Director present
 Whale
Rider
by Niki Caro, New Zealand 2003, 105 min.,
feature film, 35 mm, colour, OmU
In this wonderfully dramatic retelling of a Maori legend,
a New Zealand girl has to challenge her grandfather and a
thousand years of tradition to fulfil her destiny. “Whale
Rider” centres on an ancient legend of the Maori, who
believe their ancestry dates back to a warrior named Paikea,
who came to New Zealand an the back of a whale. The 12-year
old girl Pai is a direct descendant of Paikea and she desperately
wants to be Maori chief against the will of her grandfather
Koro. But Pai embodies many of the qualities of a great Maori:
warrior-courage, determination, wisdom and an irrepressible
spirit. Against all odds she finds a way to prove herself
as the true heir to her rich ancestry. (Pandora Film Distribution)
Documentary Films
 Afghanistan
Unveiled
by Brigitte Brault, Florent Milesi France/ Afghanistan
2003, 55 min., documentary, video, colour, OmeU
In the first movie ever made by Afghan camerawomen in 2002
several young Afghan women leave for an adventurous journey
to the interior of Afghanistan. They document the fate of
Afghan women in enchanting pictures. Even though this journey
depicts terrible and moving moments, it shows as well many
youthful and fresh
experiences.
Alcemos la voz German
premiere
by Isabel Juárez and Beate Neuhaus
Guatemala 1997, 22 min., documentary, video, colour, OmU
Personal witnesses – especially by women - of the repression
in Guatemala in the years of the „violencia“ are
embedded in the hope for justice and in everyday scenes of
rituals and traditional dancing.
Director present
 Arbeiterinnen
dieser Welt (Ouvriéres du monde)
by Marie-France Collard / Arte
Belgium 2001, 84 min., documentary, video, colour, DF
For the women workers in a Levi’s sewing factory in
Belgium a world collapses, when their factory is to be closed.
They have to face trade union struggles and the reality of
globalisation. Their work is to be continued by extremely
exploited women workers in Third World countries.
 Borinboresi
German
premiere
by Gertraud Schwarz und Agnes Neumayr
Ghana/ Austria 2003, 67 min., documentary, video, colour,
OmU
A group of women in Ghana does not only create beautiful
artistic murals on round clay brick houses, but also manages
other aspects of their sometimes difficult life together.
They do so while singing, dancing and tale-telling.
Director and producer present
 Die
Frauen von Kabul – Sterne am verbrannten Himmel
by Elke Jonigkeit ,Germany/ Afghanistan 2002,
55 min., documentary, video, colour, DF
Fifteen years after her film „Tschadari and Buz Kaschi“
director Elke Jonigkeit returns to destroyed Afghanistan to
re-encounter the women portrayed in her first film –
although some of their former dreams were destroyed, these
women have kept their strong will to survive.
Director present More
information at www.circe-film.de
Domestic Violence
by Frederick Wiseman, USA 2001, 196 min., documentary,
video, colour, EF
An unblinking film portrait, which revolves around a shelter
for battered women in Tampa, Florida. In the tradition of
cinéma vérité Wiseman spent more than
two months with the women and followed the police as they
responded to domestic violence
calls.
Dreams of a Good Life
by Bridget Pickering, South Africa 2001, 15 min.,
documentary, OmU
A group of young women is talking about themselves and their
lives while sitting in the shadow of a tree in a sunny garden.
They reflect on their dreams and how these have changed since
they know they are HIV positive. Together the women are strong
and spend each other
support and consolation.
Fetal Positions German
premiere
by Stacey Benoit, France 2002, 52 min., documentary,
video, colour, EF
This is the story of the “volunteer clinic escorts“
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who protect patients in abortion
clinics from the assaults of religious fundamentalists. Their
“patients first” philosophy focuses on protection
rather than promoting confrontation. Unfortunately, the work
of these volunteers, on which the patients rely, gains
only little attention by the media.
 Hanan
Ashrawi – A Woman of her Time
by Mai Masri, Palestine 1995, 50 min.,
documentary, video, colour, OmeU
The amazing Palestinian political leader Ashrawi, ex-spokesperson
of Arafat, now fights for the defense of human rights in the
occupied territories. With other Palestinian and Israeli women
she has also founded a joint women`s peace project called
"Jerusalem Link", an admirable intent of developing
alternative peace strategies.
 Le
Mariage d’Alex
by Jean-Marie Teno
Cameroon/ France 2002, 45 min., documentary, video, colour,
OmeU
Famous film-maker Jean-Marie Teno shows perceptively a chapter
of African everyday culture, which is also for himself of
personal significance: a polygamous marriage. He describes
impressively how the men’s rough exuberance contrasts
the ambivalent emotions
of the women.
 Moderne
Sklavinnen – das Geschäft mit der Ware Frau
German premiere
by Ulrike Baur
Germany 2002, 45 min.,
documentary, video, colour, DF
Many young women from Eastern Europe - from Romania, Moldova,
or Ukraine - are caught each year by modern slave traders
and forced to work as prostitutes in Western Europe. Trafficking
in women has become an attractive business in the Balkan countries.
Director present
 Mothers
of Life (Elämän äidit)
by Anastasia Lapsui and Markku Lehmuskallio
Finland 2002, 74 min., documentary, 35 mm, black and white/
colour, OmU
Mother Mjusena and daughter Tatjana, two nomad women, have
to survive alone with their reindeers in the harsh landscape
of the Tundra in Eastern Siberia. Their existence between
legends and the hard reality leaves them only with the perspective
of surviving as employees. A fascinating and utterly touching
documentary. (Freunde der Deutschen Kinemathek)
Performing the Border
by Ursula Biemann, Switzerland/ Mexico 1999,
42 min., documentary, video, colour, OmU
In a globalised economic system the border between Mexico
and the United States means more than just a passport checkpoint.
Thousands of young Mexican women are exploited in factories
along the border. In the town of Ciudad Juarez they became
victims of serial killings
over the last ten years.
 Simon
and I German premiere
by Beverly Palesa Ditsie and Nicky Newman
South Africa 2001, 52 min., documentary, video, colour, EF
South African singer Bev Ditisie recounts from a very personal
view the life of Simon Nkoli, the famous activist in the anti-Apartheid
and gay and lesbian liberation movement. Simon died from aids
in the year the film was completed. Bev reflects
on human rights both of lesbians and aids victims.
 The
Day I will never Forget
by Kim Longinotto, GB/ Kenya 2002, 90 min.,
documentary, 35 mm, colour, OmeU
Women in Kenya start to resist female circumcision in various
ways: Young girls run away from home, some of them sue their
parents in order to prevent being mutilated. A determined
and sensitive nurse insistently tries to prevent Somali families
from applying the torture that exists for millenniums to
their daughters.
 The
Day my God died German premiere
by Andrew Levine, Nepal/ India/ USA 2002,
70 min.,
documentary, video, colour, OmeU
The story of Nepalese girls kidnapped from their villages
and sold into sex slavery. They are forced to work as prostitutes
in Indian brothels. These are not just single cases, but an
elaborate trading system, by which everyone profits but the
girls. But former victims get engaged to liberate other girls
from their prisons and to give them a new perspective of living.
Director and
director of photography present
 Two
States of Mind German premiere
by Shira Richter, Israel/ Palestine 2001,
62 min.
(Director’s cut), documentary, video, colour, OmeU
An Israeli Palestinian co-production about two friends from
both nations, who are a team in the only women’s jeep
rally in the desert of Morocco. They have different political
opinions, which are sometimes - under the pressure of the
desert rally - nearly exploding into a conflict. But they
always keep their friendship and communication between each
other as a deliberate attitude in favour of peacekeeping.
Director present
 Une
FemmeTaxi à Sidi Bel-Abbès
(Eine Taxifahrerin in Sidi Bel-Abbès)
by Belkacem Hadjadj, Algeria/ Belgium 2000, 52 min.,
documentary, video, colour, OmeU
A courageous widow is working as a taxi driver using the
cab of her late husband. Some Algerians prefer a female taxi
driver, as they do not want to consign their women to a man.
But her experiences are not only good ones. She visits some
unemployed friends in a close-by town who are vegetating in
a textile factory that had been assaulted by fundamentalists.
She has to realise how difficult and nearly impossible it
is for women to work
under the growing influence of the fundamentalists.
 Women-
the Forgotten Face of War German premiere
by Greta Olafsdottir and Susan Muska
USA/ Kosovo 2002, 85 min., documentary, video, colour, OmeU
Kosovo in the year 2002. The aftermath of the war through
the eyes of women, most of them seriously traumatised. Old
women do not dare to die, because they have to feed a big
family without the help of men. The time of raping and torturing
seems like a nightmare to them. But beside all these terrible
memories there are young women with new hopes, on their way
to build up a new perspective of life for themselves and their
region.
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