LatinaLista — Today is International Day of Peace. It is a day dedicated to a global call for ceasefire and non-violence. This year’s call, as asked by the UN Secretary-General, is for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Unfortunately, such a call can only be responded to by the governments of the world. However, working towards peace is something everyone can do. There are literally thousands of stories of people making a difference when it comes to peace initiatives.
In a very special virtual film festival, we can learn about some of these stories.
The organization Peace X Peace: Connecting Women for Peace is hosting the We Won’t Wait for Peace Virtual Film Festival.
Beginning tonight and running through Sept. 24, the festival brings to your computer screen amazing stories of creative and brave women working towards peace in their countries.
One film per night, for a total of four documentaries, will be shown at 6 p.m. EST. Each film will be followed by a panel discussion with insights from the filmmakers and other professionals involved in the peace-building process.
The film festival is free but registration is required.
Festival organizers say that each film is available for purchase. Just contact Peace X Peace at 202-684-3550 or info@peacexpeace.org.
The following is a list of the selected films to be showcased in this unique film festival:
Monday, September 21, 6 p.m.: Peace by Peace: Women on the Frontlines
Length: 86 minutes
This award-winning documentary introduces you to determined and compassionate women building peace out of conflict and crisis. Peace by Peace: Women on the Frontlines was produced by founder Patricia Smith Melton with an all-woman film crew in Afghanistan, Argentina, Bosnia, Burundi, and the United States and narrated by actress Jessica Lange. Women on the Frontlines shows women peacemakers that we are not alone and makes it clear that our work is the glue of society.
Tuesday, September 22, 6 p.m.: Beyond Belief
Length: 92 minutes
Susan Retik and Patti Quigley are ordinary soccer moms living in the affluent suburbs of Boston — until tragedy strikes. Rather than turning inwards, grief compels these women to focus on the country where the terrorists who took their husbands’ lives were trained: Afghanistan. As Susan and Patti travel from their comfortable neighborhoods to the most desperate Afghan villages, they discover a powerful bond with each other, an unlikely kinship with widows halfway around the world, and a profound way to move beyond tragedy. From the ruins of the World Trade Center to those of Kabul and back, Beyond Belief is a journey of personal strength and international reconciliation, and a testament to the vision that peace can be forged…one woman at a time.
Wednesday, September 23, 6 p.m.: Soldiers of Peace
Length: 85 minutes
Soldiers of Peace is an uplifting look at the geopolitical state of the world. This documentary examines the different ways governments and individuals can face global problems: war or peace. Through numerous and beautiful examples, the film illustrates the many ways in which people and communities are making a positive change, today. The film is narrated by Michael Douglas, an acclaimed actor and United Nations Messenger for Peace, and features Sir Richard Branson, Prince Hassan of Jordan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Sir Bob Geldof, Hans Blix, and the ‘Soldiers of Peace’ in Colombia, Ireland, England, Liberia, Nigeria, USA, and Kenya.
Thursday, September 24, 6 p.m.: Unusual Pairs: Elana & Ibtisam
Length: 26 minutes
Unusual Pairs is ZejMedia’s current video project about Middle East peacemakers. We will view the segment of the film featuring Elana & Ibtisam, two Peace X Peace members, who work together across the Arab-Israeli divide. The film features the work of Conflict Resolution Professor and Peace Rabbi, Marc Gopin.
