October 14, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

Lens on the world

by Tim Seyfert

When Jasmina Bojic founded the United Nations Association Film Festival back in 1998, she was driven by one principal aim: to shed light on global issues in order to help "inspire change and battle ignorance," she said.

Since then, she's maintained that mission by providing an annual platform for filmmakers from all around the globe and a place to screen documentaries rarely available to the public.

This year's event, "A Statement of Hope and Courage," will be held at Stanford University Oct. 19 through Oct. 23.

Each year, about 30 films are selected from more than 300 entries. This time around, the movies come from countries including Haiti, Germany, Afghanistan, Russia and the United States. Bojic, a Stanford University lecturer in continuing studies, chooses topics running the gamut from topical headlines -- such as the war in Iraq -- to ongoing struggles including the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

Kicking things off, the festival's opening night will feature a diverse sample of works, including "Bride Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan" by filmmaker Peter Lom and "Aristide and the Endless Revolution" by Nicolas Rossier.

The festival's focus then narrows down to a particular theme each night thereafter.

On Oct. 20, the topic is "The Threat to Human Rights of Women," with films including "Sex and the Holy City," which deals with reproductive health and women's rights among Catholics. The next day, the festival looks at "War and Peace" with such films as "The Oil Factor Behind the War on the Terror," on the increasing violence in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Environmental and children's issues are the focus of the Oct. 22 screenings, with films such as "A Twist of Faith," which takes on the controversial issue of sexual abuse and the clergy. The last night is devoted to liberty and securities on Oct. 24. Films will include "Heart of the Congo," a tale of aid workers in the Congo.

Many of the films are delivered with disarming honesty and disturbing revelations, says Palo Alto film producer and composer William Susman, who wrote the musical scores for two of the festival's films. But he said the films aren't designed just to generate dropped jaws.

"It'd be ideal if people could take away the feeling that there is hope and that things can change," he said. "This festival is not just about shocking people, but about showing people that there is a solution to the world's problems."

Susman, who graduated in music from Stanford, first cut his teeth more than two decades ago by performing to silent movies during the Stanford Film Series. This film festival marks not only a homecoming for the veteran musician, but also what he says is an ideal podium for his team's films, "Oil on Ice" and "Native New Yorker."

A silent documentary directed by Steve Bilich, "Native New Yorker" follows a man tracing the Native American history of Manhattan. "Oil on Ice," made by Dale Djerassi and Bo Boudart, deals with taking oil from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

"We wanted to draw attention to human rights in a way that would have an impact," Susman said. "It's important to have a festival with the right philosophy in order to do that."

For Bojic, seeing the festival evolve has been gratifying. Starting out as an experimental exposition of documentary films, the festival has blossomed into a diverse showcase of quality talent, with participants ranging from first-time filmmakers to Academy Award-nominated veterans.

"It's getting a lot more difficult to select films," Bojic said. "The submissions are getting better since more and more people are looking to become part of this event."

Films are selected by a jury of filmmakers, students and general members of the community.

This year's festival will also include a new addition: an awards ceremony. Prizes for best cinematography and best editing, and a Grand Jury Award, will be handed out opening night.

Bojic said the biggest reward comes when the films spark emotional thought amongst their audience members.

"We are continuously reminded about the world and how fragile it is," Bojic said. "Because of that, we need to address the issues that concern us. If we don't, we won't have the opportunity for change."


What: The eighth annual United Nations Association Film Festival.


Where: Two locations at Stanford University: Cubberley Auditorium at the School of Education and Annenberg Auditorium in the Cummings Art Building.


When: Oct. 19-23, with various afternoon and evening screenings.


Cost: Tickets for each film session (two to three hours) cost $8 general and $5 for non-Stanford students. A five-day festival pass is free for Stanford undergraduates and $8 for Stanford graduate students; it's $30 for non-Stanford students and $60 for the general public. A daily pass is $15.


Info: Call (650) 724-5544 or go to www.unaff.org.

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