THE WINNER OF ONE WORLD FILM FESTIVAL HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED
Published: Apr 28, 2023 Reading time: 3 minutes
Press release, Brussels, April 27, 2023
This year's winner of One World—the world's largest human rights documentary film festival—has been announced. The festival took place between 20 – 27 April 2023, and audiences in Brussels had the opportunity to watch 12 films, of which 11 were accompanied by expert debates.
For more than two decades, the One World Festival has been an integral part of the activities of People in Need. Since the festival was established in 1999, it has brought documentaries on human rights from around the world to local audiences, screening them in dozens of towns throughout the Czech Republic and also at Czech primary and secondary schools. One World has received numerous awards, including the UNESCO award, for raising awareness of human rights.
After long deliberation, the jury announced the winning film and awarded one special mention.
SPECIAL MENTION: Blix not Bombs, 2023, Sweden & Czech Republic,
directed by: Greta Stocklassa
WINNING FILM: The Illusion of Abundance, 2022, Belgium & Colombia,
directed by: Matthieu Lietaert
Blix not Bombs:
This compelling documentary provides a fresh perspective on the war in Iraq in the early 2000s and the consequences of the Global War on Terror, which the US launched in the aftermath of 9/11. The film unfolds through a conversation with retired Swedish diplomat Hans Blix on the events that preceded the US invasion of Iraq.
The jury justified its decision to award a special mention by saying: "With deep humanity and thoughts on what could have been done differently, the film reflects on the responsibility we all bear for our and other people's actions. In addition, the film and Hans Blix also touch upon other issues that resonate with a contemporary audience: do we want to die a swift death by a nuclear catastrophe or a slow death by human-caused environmental destruction? How can we live in peace?"
The Illusion of Abundance:
This documentary follows the stories of three female activists: Berta Cáceres from Honduras, Carolina de Moura from Brazil, and Maxima Acuña from Peru, as they defend their communities, their land, and the environment from the abuse brought about by transnational corporations and governments.
In discussing the film, the jury noted that "According to Global Witness, globally, three people are killed every week trying to protect their land and the environment from extractive forces. In 2021, over 200 human rights defenders were killed, 75% in Latin America. The Illusion of Abundance serves as a tribute to environmental human rights and land defenders, particularly women, by giving them a voice and highlighting their struggle. The documentary underscores the importance of grassroots resistance, even as this becomes increasingly difficult."
The theme of this year's festival: The Cost of Safety, reminds us that "Safety" means different things to each one of us, and the lengths we will go to secure our safety also vary significantly from person to person. With this theme, the festival's creators want to make audiences in the Czech Republic and Belgium think critically about how much they would pay for safety and freedom.
One World in Brussels is organized by People in Need, the European Parliament, the Czech Centre Brussels and the Czech Permanent Representation to the EU, and local NGOs and other partners. The complete program of the 16th annual One World in Brussels and a full list of partners and guests are available at https://www.oneworld.cz/brussels/.
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For press and media inquiries, please contact:
Ondřej Lukáš, Media Coordinator for People in Need, ondrej.lukas@peopleinneed.net, +420 776 186 529.
