Celebrity Fan Web – The Madani International Film Festival 2024 will take place over four days, from October 3 to 6, 2024. With the theme “Marwah,” this seventh edition of the film festival aims to highlight the situations faced by the people of Palestine and Sudan. Two nations affected by ongoing conflicts and wars.
Putut Widjanarko, the Director of the Madani International Film Festival. xplained that the theme reflects concern over the oppression and colonization of Palestine and Sudan. The conflicts have led to refugee exoduses, economic crises, and the collapse of health and social welfare systems.
“Marwah symbolizes the revival of these nations,” Putut stated at a press conference in Jakarta on September 30, 2024.
A total of 57 films from 20 countries will be screened during the festival. These films have been carefully curated to align with the chosen theme.
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Opening Film: Goodbye Julia
This year, the festival will open with “Goodbye Julia,” a film from Sudan. It tells the story of a woman surviving in the midst of conflict. The character, Mona, from Northern Sudan, grapples with guilt after being involved in a murder case. She tries to make amends by inviting the widow of the deceased, Julia, and her son, Daniel. Meanwhile, the instability in the country forces her to confront her past sins. Overall, the film explores themes of redemption, sorrow, and the conflicts faced amid social and political challenges. Another film focused on Sudan, titled “This Jungo Life,” depicts the struggles of Sudanese refugees attempting to migrate to Europe.
Highlighting the Palestinian Situation in Gaza
This film will be screened alongside “The Teacher,” directed by Farah Nabulsi, a British director of Palestinian descent. In a video message, Nabulsi shared her experience of shooting the film two years ago in Palestine.
According to Putut, this decision reflects the commitment of the Madani IFF to address the ongoing genocidal phenomenon that the people of Palestine are currently experiencing.
“(The film) portrays their resilience in enduring daily life within the large prison that is Gaza. Additionally, the theme of the diversity of Islamic life in Indonesia and Southeast Asia is also a focus,” he added.
Other Programs at the Madani International Film Festival
This year, the festival will also host the Madani Short Film Competition. In 2024, the curatorial team received 1,504 submissions from filmmakers around the world. These finalists hail not only from Indonesia but also from Bahrain, Belgium, Denmark, Iran, Jordan, Morocco, and Turkey.
The Madani IFF 2024 also accepted 76 submissions for non-competitive feature films and 163 submissions in the children’s film category. As in previous years, the Madani IFF emphasizes the importance of the Madani Kids program to nurture the future film community.
The organizers will also present the Retrospective program, featuring Hanung Bramantyo and Islamic Films, which the director received with pride and honor. Hanung noted that the theme “Marwah” resonates closely with the teachings of the Quran. emphasizing that humans should be a blessing to the entire universe. He also expressed that his films serve as invitations to realize social transformation and offer new interpretations of Islam.
Numerous films will be screened at various locations in Jakarta. Including Taman Ismail Marzuki, Cinepolis Senayan Park, Metropole XXI, Universitas Paramadina, and Masjid Istiqlal.
The history of cinema is not foreign; it has reached even the most remote areas. Before the pandemic, we collaborated with cinemas located above markets, but unfortunately, that cinema no longer exists. We are now seeking new partners to continue this initiative,” said Krisnadi Yuliawan, a member of the Madani Board.
Dialogue Space and Contemporary Issues
The Madani Film Festival, supported by DKJ (Jakarta Arts Council), has become an inclusive dialogue space for all sectors of society. The event addresses various relevant issues, including those concerning women and children.
Given the current situation, we feel it is important to create a space where the community can discuss and share perspectives on these issues. We see Madani as a dialogue space for everyone,” stated Shuri Gietty Tambunan. a member of the Film Committee of the Jakarta Arts Council.
Hikmat Darmawan, a Producer at Imaginarium Pictures and a Madani Board member, emphasized that each year. Prior to filmmaking, there is always an exploration of issues that resonate with the daily lives of Muslims.