11 Jun 2023

European Film Festival in partnership with Poetavango on Thursday showcased two films in Maun to celebrate local talent and the diverse culture of the Ukrainians.

The audience was treated to a local film titled Cell 10, which is about a young man who was on the verge of being sentenced to death.

However, he was saved by evidence that he was sexually violated by the victim and given 10 years prison sentence instead.

Another film, Homeward, depicted a rich culture of Ukrainians who had a strong tie to their place of origin of Crimea.

Commenting on the film Homeward, Ukraine Ambassador Liubov Abravitova, who was also the special guest, said Ukraine had diverse cultures and religions.

Abravitova said some Ukrainians who originated from Crimea still had a strong attachment to the place and believed dying there was an honour as shown in the film by the main character, who went against all odds to bury his dead son in Crimea and also died there himself as he was ailing.

European Union Ambassador to Botswana and SADC, Petra Pereyra said they would support the war-torn Ukraine in rebuilding itself.

In addition, she said the EU had long recognised that violence on women, men and children as a violation of human rights and needed concerted efforts to be addressed, hence the screening of Cell 10.

The film festival was attended by, among others, European Ambassador to Botswana and SADC, Petra Pereyra, the French Ambassador, Olievier Brochenin, the German Ambassador, Margit Hellwig-Boette as well as the Ukrainian Ambassador.  Ends