The documentaries "Smiling in a War Zone - and the Art of Flying to Kabul" and the short film "Turn Out the Light" are selected for official programmes at one of USA's most important documentary film festivals, Full Frame, Durham.
"Smiling in the War Zone"
After Durham (closing 9 April), "Smiling in a War Zone - and the Art of Flying to Kabul" will participate in competition at San Francisco International Film Festival (20 April - 4 May).
Directed by Simone Aaberg Kærn and Magnus Bejmar and produced by Helle Ulsteen for Cosmo Doc, this film is scheduled for release in Danish cinemas in the autumn, and will receive a cinema release in Stockholm, Göteborg, Malmø and Lund on 28 April.
When artist-pilot-director Simone Aaberg Kærn read in her morning newspaper of a 16-year-old Afghan girl who dreamt of becoming a pilot, she decided spontaneously to fly the 6000 km to Kabul to find the girl and make her dream come true. Kærn bought the only plane she could afford, a forty-year-old Piper-Cot made out of canvas. After challenging every military authority she came across, weeks of travelling, 50 hours flying and 33 landings, Kærn finally reached Kabul and the young Afghan girl, Farial.
"Turn out the Light"
"Turn Out the Light", participating also in competition at Full Frame, Durham is written, directed and produced by Mira Jargil. The setting Jargil has chosen is the intimate world of Ruth and Arne who have arrived at the dreaded day of parting with their home of 45 years.
Jargil's debut film "Turn Out the Light" was selected for the prestigious Silver Wolf programme at IDFA, Amsterdam in 2005.
For further information:
"Smiling in the War Zone - and the Art of Flying to Kabul"Factsheet: "Smiling in the War Zone" Article in FILM#47: The Art of Flying to Kabul
"Turn Out the Light"Factsheet: "Turn Out the Light" Article in FILM#47: Departure
Read more about Danish docs: DFI-magazine FILM #47
Danish Film InstituteAnne Marie Kürstein, +45 3374 3609, kurstein@dfi.dkVicki Marie Synnott, +45 3374 3438, +45 5054 5011, vickis@dfi.dk