The 2006 Graduate Film Festival
The 2005 graduate students took their cameras worldwide to capture stories and events on an international scale—Bosnia, Switzerland, England, France, India, Pakistan, China, Japan—and of course the United States.
Topics range from the difficulties in returning to war-torn areas and integrating immigrant populations to American students traveling to France and NYC high schoolers learning to Samba; life and relations in India and Pakistan, to the travails of successful women in China and explosion of hip hop in traditional Japan.
[ Here's the original flyer and schedule ]
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SREBRENICA REMAINS
Producer: Brian Epstein – (38:00 min)
Ten years after the massacre in Srebrenica, Bosnia, displaced Muslims are returning to the homes expelled from during the war. This piece explores pain and difficulties that arise from returning with a dark past and an uncertain future.
SUDDENLY SWEDISH
Producer: Lotte Billing – (20:00 min)
Proudly known as one of the most politically correct countries in the world, Sweden welcomed displaced Muslims. Now it is facing a self segregating Muslim immigrant community with tensions simmering beneath the surface.
I AM BOMBAY
Producer: Preeti Mankar – (27:00 min)
Jam-packed in the metropolis of Mumbai, the lives of the diverse inhabitants are intricately woven together. Through a string of connectivity, this film follows six characters capturing the spirit that is Mumbai.
QUEER SPAWN
Producer: Anna Boluda – (29:00 min)
Does having gay parents affect children’s lives? From New York to Texas, teenagers and their parents candidly share their experiences and insights.
FRENCH TRIPINN; THE MOVIE
Producer: Elisabeth Smick – (25:00 min)
American high school students travel to France and find a lot more than the Eiffel Tower. Their tour through the heart of France becomes a journey of self discovery in this charming coming of age film.
PAGAN’S PRIDE
Producer: Cory Shim – (11:00 min)
When one hears the word “pagan,” visions of devil-worshippers and witches on broomsticks come to mind. The members of New York’s Wiccan community separate myth from reality.
YES, SAMBA!
Producer: Cecilia Lima – (18:00 min)
New York City Public High School students study the Samba at a unique after school program. Some do it because they like music; others because they are attracted to the exotic. Most learn that samba can be more than a rhythm.
GUILT BY OMISSION
Producer: Peter Sanders – (30:00 min)
The horrors of Argentina’s Dirty War are seen through the eyes of Horacio Pietragalla. In a country where an estimated 30,000 individuals “disappeared” there is a generation of 20 somethings who will never know what happened to their parents. Horacio is different; he discovered he was raised by strangers and confronted them with the truth.
BENEATH THE HILL
Producer: Kimberley Lim – (27:00 min)
Notting Hill Carnival is an annual event in West London. The film examines the neighborhood’s history of racial tension since the arrival of West Indian immigrants in the 50’s and considers how those tensions have changed, but not gone from the 2005 event.
THE WHORE NEXT DOOR
Producer: Nicole Evatt – (25:00 min)
Whores, hookers and sluts – is this what comes to mind when you think of prostitutes? Think again. This film follows empowered, outspoken sex workers as they fight for decriminalization and a place in society.
GAMEPLAN: INDIA VS. PAKISTAN
Producer: Kerman Chowna – (18:00 min)
Epic enemies, India and Pakistan experienced hostility and conflict since the partition of 1947. 57 years later a shared love for the game of cricket turns out to be a major step towards peace between the feuding neighbors.
THE SCARLET LETTER
Producer: Sarah Jacob – (20:00 min)
While violence against women is an universal phenomenon, acid attacks against women are a particularly vicious. This story documents the nightmare that haunts victims of acid attacks and delves skin deep to expose the reasons behind this phenomenon.
RELATIONSHIP STORY
Producer: Amy Zhao – (25:00 min)
After 25, Chinese women are practically unmarriageable. Add academic degrees or successful careers to that and no man will come near them. The film analyzes why success and marriage don’t go together for women in modern China.
REMIXED IN JAPAN
Producer: Melody Weinstein – (30:00 min)
What happens when modern hip hop and traditional Japanese culture collide? This film recounts the explosion of hip hop in Japan and how the intersection of old and new has given rise to a new form of self expression.
