War conflicts and family relationships among key themes of this year’s One World Festival
The One World Documentary Festival kicks off in Prague on Wednesday, shedding light on some of the most pressing social and political issues of our time. This year’s program features 84 documentaries, along with several fictional, immersive, and short films. In addition to the screenings, visitors can look forward to discussions, workshops, and other special events. I spoke with Ondřej Kamenický, the festival’s director, about this year’s programme.
This year's opening film, My Memory is Full of Ghosts, tells the story of Homs, a once-thriving Syrian city now devastated by war. Why did you choose this film to open the festival?
"The One World Festival has been documenting the conflict in Syria since it began in 2011. As we work under the NGO People in Need, which has been delivering large-scale humanitarian aid there, we have also been focusing on this country in recent years. Many talented Syrian filmmakers and human rights defenders have attended the festival, and many have received awards for their work in past years.
"While much of the world has turned away from Syria during this almost never-ending war, we have not. This year marks, let's say, the symbolic closure of a chapter. We all hope that better days lie ahead for Syria after the fall of the Assad regime, even though the recent news about massacres in the western part of the country is really disturbing."
One World has featured many films from Ukraine in recent years. Is that the case again this year? And what about the Israel-Gaza conflict? Are there any films covering that?
"Yes, regarding Ukraine, we've got five films. One of them is titled
Hезламні - One Mission for Life, a documentary that follows the experience of four aid workers from People in Need as they navigate life and work in Ukraine during the Russian invasion. Another is Songs of Slow Burning Earth, which depicts the daily wartime reality in Ukraine in recent years.
"Regarding Gaza, we've got a series of 22 short films, actually presented as one film, called From Ground Zero. We are also planning a major panel discussion about the recent war in Gaza at the Municipal Library in Prague."
We don’t have enough space to mention all the films in the program, but have you noticed any specific themes or trends among this year's submissions?
"I think family relationships have definitely emerged as a major theme this year. We've created a special section called Family Webs, dedicated to exploring the many forms family can take. But this theme also appears in other sections and competitions. By the way, our visual design, featuring a man and a baby, also references this theme."
If someone could only see one or two films at this year’s One World Festival, which ones would you say are must-see?
"I would recommend the film Who’s Afraid of Nathan Law from Hong Kong, which is a portrait of one of the key figures of the Umbrella Revolution, student activist Nathan Law. There will be an online discussion with him at the Prague Municipal Library on March 14.
"The second would be Stone Mountain, which explores the controversy surrounding a popular tourist site in Georgia, United States. The park features a granite rock formation with carved faces of three Confederate leaders, a project originally initiated by people connected to the Ku Klux Klan many years ago.
"The film examines the problematic aspects of national heritage, the local community’s fight against this controversy, and the influence of the MAGA movement. I think these two films would be excellent choices for anyone who only has time to see one or two films."
Finally, the festival always brings interesting international guests. Who can audiences look forward to meeting this year?
"Almost all screenings will be accompanied by Q&As, most featuring the directors or producers. For example, Olga Zhurba, the Ukrainian director of Songs of Slow Burning Earth, will be present. Leonard Cohen, director of Flavors of Iraq, a fantastic animated film about the country’s past and present, will also attend.
"Other notable guests include Loran Batti, director of G - 21 Scenes from Gottsunda, a Swedish film about gangs in the suburbs of Uppsala, and Peter Lohm and Corinne van Egeraat, director and producer of I Am the River, The River Is Me. This film explores New Zealand’s Whanganui River, the first in the world to be granted the legal status of a person, with all the associated rights and responsibilities."
