As the U.S. faces bitter divisiveness, other countries are inspiring a path toward inclusiveness through the medium of film.
I was fortunate enough to have scheduled a flight to attend the 11th Annual Belize International Film Festival just hours after the surprising results of the U.S. election. While Belize is fighting the many battles that accompany extreme poverty, the country provides its artists with a platform to highlight social issues in a constructive environment.
The festival's intent is to call attention to emerging Caribbean filmmakers who struggle to get their stories seen even in their own island nations. The four-day event highlighted the triumphs and challenges of Caribbean talent.
The fest didn't feature any major movie stars, but instead, provided plenty of films with heart and passion. The fest also featured many local artists who contributed to short films and music videos.
Passionate filmmakers came Belize to promote their films - Photo by Gina Hall
The winning film came from faraway Bosnia. Sabina K, from director Cristobal Krusen, follows a divorced Muslim woman who falls in love with a Catholic, only to have her possessions stolen by the man whom she thought she loved.
Another compelling film at the fest that I highly recommend is The Beginning of Time, from neighboring Mexico. The film, from director Bernardo Arellano, features an elderly couple whose pension is suspended due to political unrest. After humorously and tragically resorting to petty theft, they resort to selling street food until they encounter their 20-something grandson, who reluctantly must learn to care for his elderly relatives. The movie is both humorous and heartbreaking, and is definitely worth seeking out.
Hosted in Belize City, the fest doesn't have the advantages of a robust infrastructure to support the event. Most of the screenings and talks were held at a small performing arts center among buildings that had been hit hard by Hurricane Earl earlier this year. But that the fest has been around for 11 years is a testament to how passionate the small community is about local cinema.
A colorful community with a passion for cinema - Photo by Gina Hall