Seoul, South Korea - The future of Asia’s top film festival is being threatened by a bitter dispute over what organisers are calling an unacceptable political challenge to their artistic independence, with moviemakers pushing an "empty red carpet" boycott of this year’s event. The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) -- held every October in the South Korean port of Busan -- marked its 20 anniversary last year, but celebrations were soured by a lingering row that has since snowballed into a full-blown crisis. A flurry of official probes targeting its organisers and an unprecedented cut in state funding have raised serious doubts over the event's artistic and financial viability. Artistic director Lee Yong-Kwan was forced to step down in February, even as his counterparts from other top international film festivals like Cannes and Berlin wrote an open letter warning that political pressure was threatening BIFF's future. Organisers say they have become targets of … [Read more...] about Asia’s top film festival in crisis
Global citizen festival 2016
Social News 2/10
Vietnam ranks third at ASEAN Skills Competition Vietnam won 10 gold medals, five silver and four bronze medals, ranking third at the 11 th ASEAN Skills Competition (ASC) that wrapped up in Malaysia on September 28. Malaysia ranked first with 24 gold, four silver and five bronze medals while Indonesia came second. Thailand and Singapore ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stressed the importance of skilled workforce for the development of countries in the region, adding that together with education, occupational skill is an essential element in attracting foreign investors and driving the growth of each country. The five-day competition, starting from September 24-26 drew about 280 young skilled workers, from 9 ASEAN member countries (Brunei did not join this year event) competing in 22 occupational skills and two performance skills. The biennial event provides an opportunity for the exchange of … [Read more...] about Social News 2/10
WHAT’S ON OCTOBER 15-31 (DAILY UPDATE)
Exhibition "Everything is Golden" by Michelle Wise Opening: Thu 29 Oct 2015, 6 pm Exhibition: 29 Oct - 12 Nov 2015 Spacebar Cafe 15/76 To Ngoc Van, Tay Ho Dist, Hanoi Join us for the opening of "EVERYTHING IS GOLDEN", a selection of paintings and contemporary lacquer by Michelle Wise. "EVERYTHING IS GOLDEN" is a series of works developed out of Wise's personal interest in using colours and simple geometric shapes to explore how spatial and color relationships have the power to evoke emotional responses. Inspired by non-objective abstract expressionists such as Joseph Albas and Mark Rothkoe and drawing on Vietnamese and other Asian cultural artistic traditions, this series utilizes lacquer work and gold leaf in contemporary ways. Her work thematically focuses on shape and form within these media; eliciting a sense of spiritualism while avoiding reference to religious iconography. Born in 1975, Michelle comes from Whanganui, New Zealand. She hitchhiked out of town with nothing but a … [Read more...] about WHAT’S ON OCTOBER 15-31 (DAILY UPDATE)
Social News 24/6
Dirty food delivered straight to nurseries A food processing facility in Hanoi have been suspended for providing unhygienic food to many local nurseries. Hai Anh food processing facility at Trung Van Market is one of the well-known distributors to many local nurseries for years. Pham Thi Thu Anh, owner of the facility, said their food were expensive because they were fresh. Their shrimp cost VND450,000 (USD20.50) per kilo and basa fish cost over VND100,000 per kilo. Anh said she had business licences to sell meat, aqua-products, beverages and vegetables. However, according to the locals, the food processing facility at Trung Van Market is actually an electronic shop. Whenever there is an inspection, it will be temporarily transformed into a food processing facility. In reality, all the work is being done at an unnamed kiosk at Long Bien Market where the conditions fail to meet regular standards. The fish are left lying on dirty ground near running waste water. Anh then let it slip … [Read more...] about Social News 24/6
Social News 23/6
UN vows to help Vietnam prevent violence against children UN organisations will assist Vietnam in improving its national system for child protection and changing social attitudes towards violence against children, following the One UN Strategic Plan for 2017-2021. Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children (SRSG-VAC), made the pledge at a press conference on June 22 at the end of her four-day visit to Vietnam. The adoption of the amended Law on Child Protection, Care and Education alongside the creation of a strong network of social workers across the country and proper funding are essential for the building of a legal barrier to prevent violence against children, she said. She also talked on issues concerning the mental and physical child abuse on online platforms. The UN special representative reaffirmed that preventing and responding to violence against children has been a top priority in the UN agenda, adding … [Read more...] about Social News 23/6