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	Sponsors 2007

 

International Premiere: Enemies of Happiness

 

‘Enemies of Happiness’ tells the tale of women’s oppression in Afghanistan and their plight for equal opportunities after the clasp of the Taliban. This inspiring film represents the first democratic elections in the country in 30 years, following Malalai Joya, a respected female politician who continues to challenge former warlords despite assassination threats.

 

 

The jury said:

“This film is more than an exceptional portrait. Through the compelling narrative of the election, we meet a sequence of ordinary Afghanis, Joya’s supporters, desperate for her assistance and wisdom. These include an old woman who demonstrates on hands and knees how she planted mines for the Mujahaddin; a terrified young woman who is being forced to become the wife to a man much older than her; another woman, seeking divorce from her abusing, drug addict husband. Through these slices of life we glimpse a population desperate for a new beginning and hope for the future.”

 

Helle Faber said:

“We are very, very proud and honoured to receive the International Premiere Award among dozens of really great international films. It also means that Malalai Joya will get much more attention from the British audience on her important work in Afghanistan, which is our major aim with this film.”

 

 

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