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Home > Films > Shorts Programme: “All Human Beings Are Born Free And Equal”

Shorts Programme: “All Human Beings Are Born Free And Equal”

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood
Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The short film competition All Human Beings Are Born Free And Equal was co-organised by the Goethe-Institut and Remembrance Responsibility and Future Foundation in 2007, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This short film programme compiles a selection of five award-winning films from the competition, with a focus on the rights of refugees and migrants.

All films are screened in original language audio with Japanese subtitles.


A Human Request
Director: Barbara Falkner
Germany (2007)
13 min.
Subtitles: Japanese
When the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in December 1948, eight states abstained from voting arguing that certain articles were not acceptable in their cultures. To this day, certain positions within legal philosophy doubt the universality of human rights. The film looks at the history of the codification of human rights by highlighting some of the debated points and the respective arguments for and against them.

Stranger in Motherland
Director: Muhamad Abu Zarka
Israel (2007)
15min.
Subtitles: Japanese
The situation of the Palestinian population in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip is examined using the example of three labourers from that region. The men risk their lives and their freedom by crossing the border illegally in order to work in Israel under appalling conditions and for a wage far below the legal minimum. But they still try to lead their lives with dignity.

Afroband
Director: Andrius Seliuta
Lithuania (2007)
11 min.
Subtitles: Japanese
The film portrays a group of refugees from Africa who have formed the music group “Afroband”. They are the only African musicians in Lithuania. The musicians' concerts are successful, but they also have to face problems...


Mother and Wall
Director: Zuzana Vondra?kova
Czech Republic (2007)
11min.
Subtitles: Japanese
They provide most people with shelter, a home and security. For others they represent a hopeless situation and suffering. In a historical context, walls often become a symbol for inequality and barriers between people. In this film, the wall is a metaphor for inhuman actions, infringement of freedom and the segregation of people.


No Visa
Director: Bartosz Paduch
Poland (2007)
16min.
Subtitles: Japanese
At a remote border checkpoint, two border guards witness an illegal border crossing. But after their meeting with the mysterious arrival, the two guards must cross other barriers: the barriers in their minds.

  • - Venue -
  • Monday, 23th June 17:30 Goethe-Institut Japan
  • Wednesday, 25th June 19:30 Goethe-Institut Japan


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