The Japan Association for UNHCR, a nonprofit organization based in Tokyo, will host the 19th Refugee Film Festival starting on November 7. The festival, themed “The Strength to Survive in Hardship,” will feature six carefully selected films.
Films Highlighting the Strength to Survive
【Message from UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador MIYAVI】
Why is there still no peace in the world?
Why do the number of people forced to flee their homes continue to rise?
What more can we do?
For seven years as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, I have been asking myself these questions.
The films shown at the annual Refugee Film Festival reflect the reality of what is happening somewhere in the world at this very moment.
But these are not stories without hope.
The strength and resilience of those who, despite being displaced, overcome hardships and continue to live, deeply move our hearts.
Let us think about the world and ask for peace.
Your small step can become hope for someone in the world.
The Japan Association for UNHCR will hold its 19th Refugee Film Festival both online and in theaters from November 7. The festival aims to deepen understanding and empathy for the plight of refugees by showcasing films that depict their struggles and resilience.
MIYAVI, the UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, expressed his support for the festival, stating that “these films reflect the reality of what is happening in the world today, yet they are not without hope.” He urged viewers to “take a step forward through the Refugee Film Festival, and bring hope to someone in the world.”
Six films, including four Japanese premieres, will be screened during the festival. One of the highlights is The Walk: Amal’s 8,000 Kilometer Journey, which follows a 3.5-meter tall puppet named Amal as she crosses Europe to raise awareness of the plight of refugee children. Through Amal’s journey, the film portrays both the harsh realities and the hope for a better future for these children.Other featured films include In the Rearview, which follows Ukrainian families fleeing the war, and Peace by Chocolate, a story of a Syrian refugee’s entrepreneurial success in Canada. These films offer a powerful glimpse into the challenges refugees face, as well as their determination to carve out a brighter future.
＜Screened Films＞
The six selected films (including four Japan premieres and one film previously screened in 2012) focus on the resilience of refugees, highlighting their strength in overcoming adversity.
■The Walk: Amal’s 8,000 Kilometer Journey Japan Premiere (Theatrical screening)
A Syrian refugee girl questions society about the refugee crisis.
Original title: The Walk / Documentary / 80 min / 2023
Amal, a 3.5-meter-tall puppet, embarks on a journey across Europe to raise awareness about the struggles faced by unaccompanied refugee children. Along the way, Amal meets other refugees in similar situations and encounters many who reject her. Amal, a representation of a real Syrian refugee girl, expresses her hopes and fears through an inner monologue. This artistic documentary portrays Amal’s quest for safety and a place to call home, capturing her emotional journey and inner conflicts.
— Director Tamara Kotevska and Cinematographer Jean Dacaire to Visit Japan! —
In conjunction with the theatrical screening of The Walk: Amal’s 8,000 Kilometer Journey at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills on November 7, Director Tamara Kotevska and Cinematographer Jean Dacaire will visit Japan and hold a talk session. Kotevska, a female director from Macedonia, gained international acclaim for her debut documentary Honeyland, which was nominated for Best International Feature and Best Documentary at the 92nd Academy Awards.
■In the Rearview Japan Premiere
A Ukrainian family’s journey to escape war, revealing their thoughts and struggles.
Original title: In the Rearview / Documentary / 84 min / 2023
This observational documentary follows Ukrainian citizens fleeing the terror of war. The director, driving through minefields and military checkpoints, assists in their evacuation. The camera captures the reflections of those sitting in the back seat, recording conversations that unfold during the journey. As the car becomes a waiting room, hospital, refuge, and confession space, the film offers a deeply personal glimpse into the thoughts of those affected by the conflict, from Ukraine to Poland.
■Peace by Chocolate
The success story of a Syrian refugee who rebuilt his life by starting a business in Canada.
Original title: Peace by Chocolate / Drama / 96 min / 2021
Tareq, a Syrian refugee displaced by the civil war, relocates with his family to Canada. While Tareq struggles to find a way to complete his medical studies, his father, Issam, a renowned chocolatier, restarts his chocolate business with the help of the local community. This heartwarming true story follows the family’s journey of resilience, hope, and the peace they bring to others through chocolate.
■Rosemary’s Way Japan Premiere
Empowering refugees through community connection.
Original title: Rosemary’s Way / Documentary / 75 min / 2020
In Australia, many refugee and immigrant women live isolated lives, disconnected from society. Rosemary, a community leader, bridges the gap between these women and their new local communities. She organizes events that bring together women from Iraq, Congo, Peru, and other cultural backgrounds with Australian locals, fostering understanding and empowerment. This documentary celebrates the courage and strength of these women as they transform their lives from isolation to connection, thanks to Rosemary’s efforts.
■The Staging Post Japan Premiere
The courage and initiative of refugees in creating opportunities, even in the face of hardship.
Original title: The Staging Post / Documentary / 65 min / 2017
After being forcibly detained by the Australian government for arriving by boat, two Hazara Afghan refugees, Muzafar and Hadim, find themselves stranded in the Indonesian village of Cisarua for several years. Refusing to accept their fate, they organize a community and establish a school that sparks an educational revolution for refugees. This true story of friendship, community, and the power of hope shows how they turned their difficult circumstances into an opportunity for change.
■What We Saw: Gaza, the Children of Samuni Family Revival Screening from the 7th Refugee Film Festival
Original title: What We Saw: Gaza, the Children of Samuni Family / Documentary / 89 min / 2011
The Israeli military’s attack on Gaza from 2008 to 2009 claimed the lives of over 1,400 people. Among them were 29 members of the Samuni family, all killed in one tragic event. This film quietly observes the children of the Samuni family as they strive to live on, capturing their emotional scars and the strength they exhibit in the face of unimaginable hardship. Through their testimonies, the film reveals their “will to live” and “humanity.”
Note: The content expressed in the films shown at the 19th Refugee Film Festival does not represent or reflect the opinions of the hosting organizations or individuals involved.
Online
Screenings: November 7, 2024 (Thursday) – November 30, 2024 (Saturday)
Theatrical Screening (Tokyo): November 7, 2024 (Thursday), TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills
Watch the trailer here
＜How to Participate＞
Registration:
Registration opens on the 19th Refugee Film Festival official website from 10:00 AM on Wednesday, October 2.
Note: For the Tokyo theater screenings, registration will close once capacity is reached.
Participation Fee:
For both online and theater screenings, you can choose between:
(A) Donation ticket (from ¥1,000 per film)
(B) Free viewing ticket
If you wish to watch all six films online, you can select:
(A) Donation ticket (from ¥3,000)
(B) Free viewing ticket
The free viewing option is available to encourage participation from young people. The festival is operated with the support of donations from individuals, companies, and organizations. We would be grateful for your cooperation in choosing the donation ticket.
Donations will go towards supporting UNHCR’s refugee aid efforts.
Online Seminars:
During the festival, guest speakers will hold online seminars to discuss the refugee issues behind the films. (Free participation via Zoom, pre-registration required through the Refugee Film Festival website).
November 13 (Wednesday) & November 27 (Wednesday)
Learn about global refugee issues and UNHCR’s humanitarian support
Speaker: Megumi Nakamura (Special Envoy, Japan Association for UNHCR)
November 15 (Friday)
The Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine
Speakers: Hideki Matsunaga (JICA Ukraine Office Chief)
Jun Shirato (UNHCR Poland Deputy Representative)
November 21 (Thursday)
Children Living in Conflict Zones
Speakers: Mizue Furui (Journalist, Director of What We Saw: Gaza, the Children of Samuni Family)
Sahel Rosa (Actor, Talent)
November 28 (Thursday)
Considering Refugee Issues in Japanese Society
Speakers: Shinpei Narabe (Executive Director, JELA Foundation)
Rama (Syrian graduate of the UNHCR Higher Education Program, currently working in education)
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