THE relationship between nations can be strengthened through the forms of arts and culture such as movies apart from trading and politics, says Polish ambassador to Malaysia, Krzysztof Debnicki.
“Film is a universal medium whereby anybody can watch it, moreover it is a lively medium. It helps people to understand better about each nation’s culture.
“Thus, I see film festival as something very important, and I hope through the European Film Festival, people will understand more about European countries.
“It is a diverse film festival where different genres of movies will be screened, and I hope this will continue for at least another 20 years,’’ said Debnicki during an interview prior to the movie screening of ‘Jack Strong’ at GSC Gurney Plaza on Oct 30 in conjunction with the European Union Film Festival (EUFF 2019).
Jack Strong is a polish movie based on a true story revolving Colonel Ryszard Kukliński’s quest to prevent the Soviet military’s war plan.
Debnicki hoped that in future the European Film Festival could be held in other states in Malaysia apart from Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
“Film festival, theatre festival and musical festival help to link people together. It helps people to understand each other better.
“It (movie) does not only serve as an aesthetic pleasure, but also politics. When people understand each other better, they tend to like each other better which is a normal way of thing.
“In this world, which is getting complicated in various ways, it is good to keep the ‘common touch’ and movies are very important element with regard to that, to keep in touch with the common people.
“Some of the important elements in this mosaic of common relations are scholarship exchange, exchange of young people, easing travel restrictions and increasing tourist arrivals which I believe can make a difference,’’ he added.
When he was asked on having a film festival in Poland screening movies from the Asian region, Debnicki welcomed the idea.
“I am absolutely for it. I think that a festival of Malaysian movies or Asean movies will be a good way of exposing the people of Poland to Malaysia.
“Here in Poland, Asian movies especially Indian movies (movies from India) have sizeable fan clubs partly because they (movies) are something new and the young people there are interested in other cultures and how the world cinema is being made,’’ Debnicki said.
Also present during the movie screening were Seri Delima assemblyman Syerleena Abdul Rashid and Penang Deputy Speaker Dr Amar Pritpal Abdullah.
A total of 17 films from 15 countries such as Poland, Netherlands, Finland, France, Romania, Sweden, and Denmark are currently being screened in GSC cinemas in Kuala Lumpur (GSC Mid Valley, GSC Pavilion KL, GSC 1 Utama) from Oct 17 to 27.
In Penang, the movies will be screened at GSC Gurney Plaza starting from today till Nov 6. For further enquiries, visit www.euff.com.my or www.gsc.com.my
This year is the EUFF 20th anniversary in Malaysia and remains as one of the most anticipated international film festivals in the country.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan