Cinema focuses on social issues

Dubai: There wasn't a dry eye in the house when All the Invisible Children ended at the Dubai International Film Festival yesterday.

The audience erupted with applause for the 116-minute feature film which tracked the lives of seven innocent child victims of poverty, war and abuse.

The painful stories are drawn from indisputable truth and shatter our notions of decency.

At a press conference held after the screening one of the producers, Stefano Veneruso, announced the strong bond between the filmmakers and Unicef as well as the UN's World Food Programme.

"It's about time we made a difference through the power of cinema.

"It is a film about the way it is. It's not make believe and we shouldn't bury our heads in the sand.

"It urges us to reach out and accept responsibility for the children who represent the future of our planet, echoing the message of DIFF's Cultural Bridge statement."

All the Invisible Children is the brainchild of Chiara who joined with Stefano Veneruso to form MK Film Productions in order to realise the project.

The two young Italian producers were motivated by their belief that the power of cinema can be used for more than solely entertainment purposes.

He added: "Film making, in this instance, is an art form through which we can face and come to terms with one of the most pressing and important social issues, the neglect and deprivation of many childhoods."

The producers have been working steadfastly in order to bring into this unique and worthy project the media power of the prestige and effectiveness of the two leading United Nations' organisations for the care of the world's children: Unicef and the UN's World Food Programme.

A spokesman for Unicef said: "We are in full support of the film and hope the people of the region love and support it too. It has a powerful message and we hope people take it seriously."