Pakistani film "Bol"

Organised by the South Asian diplomatic missions in Canberra in association with the centre, the event kicks off  with “An Apple from Paradise” from  Afghanistan,  directed by Siddiq Barmak.

Based on true events, the film was shot in Kabul in the winter of 2007 and tells the dramatic story of a pious old man’s search for his son, who is a student at a religious school in Kabul. When he stops attending classes his father learns that he has been sent on a suicide bomb mission. Barmak’s  first feature film “Osama” won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film in 2004.

The festival’s spokesperson, Sashikala Premawardhane, Head of Chancery at the Sri Lanka High Commission, said the festival offered  the Australian public “an open window to explore the richness and cultural variety of our region.”

With six films from the South Asian region, the other participating countries include Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Program: Feb 22, | 7.30pm – Afghanistan “An Apple from Paradise” Feb 23 | 7.00pm – Sri Lanka “Agnidahaya” Feb 24 | 7.00pm – Pakistan “BOL” Feb 25 | 4.00pm – Nepal “Bato Muni Ko Phool” Feb 25 | 6.30pm – India “Taare Zameen Par” (Like stars on earth) Feb 26| 7.00pm- Bangladesh “Guerrilla.”

The Fourth South Asian Film Festival, at Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Wednesday, February 22 to Sunday, February 26, inquiries to  6293 1443. Tickets $5.

Afghanistan, "An Apple from Paradise"

Aamir Khan in India's “Taare Zameen Par”

Bangladesh “Guerrilla”

An Apple from Paradise, South Asian Film Festival, Tuggeranong Arts Centre