As you know, the conflict in Syria has escalated more and more. There is no day we don’t hear about Syria. While the internationalized military intervention as a proxy war has been drawing many people’s attention, the lives living in Syria are not focused enough.
Four years have passed, 4 million people are displaced as refugees and 7.6 million people are internally displaced, 200 thousand people lost their lives. We should never forget that each one of them is a human being with dignity, each one of them has precious lives and Syria is a dear home for all of them.
Under this circumstance, 14th January 2016, we are going to organize an event for Syria at Rikkyo University, Tokyo JAPAN. “Stand with Syria Now: Film Screening of Return To Homs and Open-Discussion”
I met this documentary film “Return To Homs” by Talal Derki and has become knowing the fact that there is a young generation of Syria fighting for their home. Honestly writing, this is the best and most fantastic documentary film for me which brought tears to my eyes. I want more people to see this film, and reconsider Syria…
Syria is geographically and psychologically far away from Japan. Thus, this cannot be a reason to ignore what is going on people of Syria.
What can we do now…? “Stand with Syria” It is the aim of this event, and it is one of the ways to light up their situation; the story of the individuals, not of the numbers.
On the day of the event, we are going to invite Syrian film director Mr. Talal Derki who directed the film via Skype and to have an open Q&A session. I believe this will be a rare and exceptional opportunity to deepen our understanding of the situation in Syria from “human-perspective” which we can be shared thoughts and experiences of Mr. Derki who are standing with the youth of Syria from the begging of the Revolution.
We are looking forward seeing all of you, especially Japanese students since this film amazingly describes the struggles of Syrian youth. That is why this event will be held at a university.
Reservation is not required, please come to the venue below directly.
***Details of the event
【Date】 6:20 pm- 9 pm, 14th (Thurs.) January 2016
【Venue】 Room 7102, building 7 at Rikkyo University (Ikebukuro Campus)
⇨Campus Map
https://www.rikkyo.ac.jp/access/ikebukuro/campusmap/
【Entrance】 FREE
【Capacity】Around 120
【Program】
18:20 Opening Remarks:
Masako Ishii, Professor of Department of Intercultural Communication of Rikkyo University
Icchiku Yamada, 3rd year Student at Department of Intercultural Communication of Rikkyo University
18:30 Film Screening Return To Homs
20:00 Break
20:10 Commentary of the film by Prof. Masako Ishii
20:20 Discussion: Report on Syria by Icchiku Yamada
20:40 Open Dialog Session: Q&A with Mr. Talal Derki (via Skype)
21:00 Closing Remarks: Icchiku Yamada
【Links】
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1548942552062359/
Rikkyo University Website: http://www.rikkyo.ac.jp/events/2016/01/17188/
【Return To Homs Details】
Director: Talal Derki
Country: Syria | Germany
Language: Arabic
Filming Locations: Homs, Syria
Runtime: 94 min
Production Co: Proaction Film, Ventana Film- und Fernsehproduktion
Known as: The Return to Homs
Distribution Company in Japan: United People
Story:
Filmed over three years in Homs, accompanying two outstanding young men Basset and Ossama from the time they were only dreaming of freedom to the time when they are forced to change course. Return To Homs focus the Group’s transformation and struggles, is a heart-stopping, often wrenching study of the brutal war President Bashar al-Assad’s regime has waged against the Syrian people — a battle fought mostly out of camera range that has produced epic heroism and tragedy.
Basset, the 19 years old national football team goalkeeper, who became an outspoken demonstration leader in the city, then an icon revolution singer, till he becomes a fighter… a militia leader. 24-year-old-Ossama renowned citizen journalist, cynical pacifist… as his views are forced to change until army secret service detains him. It is the story of a city, of which the world has heard a lot, but never really got closer than news, never really had the chance to experience how a war erupted. (Via IMDb and POV)
Winner of Sundance’s 2014 World Cinema Grand Jury Prize for Documentary.
Laurel Winner – Charles E. Guggenheim Emerging Artist Award, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, 2014
Laurel Winner – Grand Prix du Festival, FIFDH 2014
Laurel Official Selection – Hot Docs, 2014
Laurel Opening Film – IDFA 2013
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAqw-IuL3Ys
【Pamphlet】
By Icchiku Yamada