about the festival

 Miklós Jancsó, Ferenc Kőszeg | Oksana Sarkisova | Andrea Pócsik | István Rév | Zsuzsa Zádori 

Andrea Pócsik

RIGHT TO BE EQUAL 'Roma Version'

Every year in Hungary many documentaries are made which highlight the social and economic realities, the living conditions, problems of identity and difficulties of integration and the culture of the largest ethnic group, the Roma. And yet, owing to a variety of distribution problems, only a small proportion of these films ever reach the audience.
We intend to feature filmmakers in whose works aspect, attitude toward the subject and the chosen ways of expression are of equal significance: thus we foreground those questions of film-making which are of crucial importance in the representation of any minority.
Knowledge of one's own historical and cultural heritage is vital if one aspires to the right to be equal. These films offer insights into issues concerning the identity and cultural values of communities from different countries (Iran, India and Hungary) and about terrible historical events whose effects are still to be felt: World War II, or the war in former Yugoslavia. We must also face social problems such as homelessness and racism, for which only long-term solutions seem to exist.After the screenings we would like to offer an opportunity to meet the filmmakers.
An important part of our event is a workshop focusing on the representation of the Roma. It will take place at the CEU Auditorium on 3rd December, with the participation of foreign and Hungarian film specialists, human scientists, and NGO representatives.
The filmmakers have done their best: now it is up to us, the audience, to see, hear and understand their work.

Andrea Pócsik
Roma program director

 Miklós Jancsó, Ferenc Kőszeg | Oksana Sarkisova | Andrea Pócsik | István Rév | Zsuzsa Zádori