In the wake of the deadly attack on the Sri Lanka cricket teams tour bus in Pakistan, there’s some good news ahead for South Asians in the UAE.
This weekend, the first South Asian Film Festival will launch at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi and admission is free. Diplomats from the countries – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal – gathered at the Sri Lankan Embassy yesterday to announce the line-up for the SAARC festival, named after their regional co-operation organisation.
The six films – two from Sri Lanka and one from each of the other countries – all carry strong messages about internal conflict and reconciliation.
“This sort of co-operation will help our South Asian countries to heal many of our pains,” said Mohammed Nazmul Quaunine, the Bangladeshi ambassador. “We have to work together in order to realise our common interests,” added Talmiz Ahmad, the Indian ambassador.
The films will be screened at the Cultural Foundation from March 7 to 11. They are subtitled in English and Arabic and admission is free.
