The fifth-annual Friends of the Muncie Public Library's Film Fest begins Sunday with a "Journey of Hope" and ends with "Hope and Glory" in May.
The annual series, cosponsored by Indiana Public Radio and Kerasotes Theatres is a fund-raising effort intended to promote international cinema, which usually receives little exposure outside of large markets. Movies from such places as Lebanon, Spain and Japan have been screened in the past. "Journey of Hope," from Turkey, will be shown this weekend.
"I often have to go to Indianapolis or Castleton to see foreign films," said festival committee member Wanda Resler. "It seemed for a long time in the United States we didn't hear music or see movies from other countries, and instead we sent our films all over the world."
"Journey of Hope," which won the 1990 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, is a drama of a Turkish family who tries to illegally immigrate to Switzerland after being lured with tales of financial success.
"It's a big family, so only the mother and father can go, but the father suggests they also take the youngest son so he can get educated in Europe," said festival organizer Roslyn Modzelewski. "They go up through the mountains and through a series of obstacles and, at one point, their belongings are stolen."
The film will be followed by a reception, catered by The Nile Restaurant in Anderson. Turkish teas, coffees and desserts will be served. An informal panel will also lead a discussion and question-and-answer session about refugee and guest worker issues.
"In the 1960s there just weren't enough people in Europe to do all the jobs, so they encouraged people from Turkey and other countries to come," said Ball State English professor Carolyn Goffman, who recently returned from Turkey and will participate in the discussion. "But, of course, times have changed toward immigrants, much like they have in this country, and people aren't always so eager to let them come anymore."
Modzelewski said she thought the film pertained to the refugee issues currently garnering attention around the world, and that is one of the reasons organizers decided to open this year's festival with it.
In the fall, committee members solicit more than 100 suggestions for future films. They then narrow them down to five, trying to incorporate a good variety of genres and geographical locations.
"The hardest part is honing it down to so few titles, because there are so many wonderful films out there," Modzelewski said. "It's a chance to learn about different cultures and different parts of the world in an entertaining fashion."
A different movie will be featured each month, and other films scheduled for this year include "The Dinner Game" from France, "Burnt by the Sun" from Russia, "Central Station" from Brazil and "Hope and Glory" from Great Britain. All screenings will take place at Northwest Plaza Cinemas on McGalliard Road.
"Journey of Hope" begins at 4 p.m. and runs approximately an hour and 45 minutes. Admission is $5. The reception, which is free, will take place at Kennedy Library across the street.
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