Language Barrier

The South American Premier of 'A2-B-C' was last night during the Uranium Film Festival in Rio de Janeiro (WEBSITE).

Taking place in the screening room of the film archive at the Modern Art Museum, shortly before the screening, I noticed a plaque outside the theatre (PHOTO below).

The Film Archive of the Museu de Arte Moderna... (is) to serve as a space for debates by the civil society and for the International Film Festival regarding the pillars of Sustainable Development: economic growth and environmental protection.

A perfect place to hold the Uranium Film Festival...

Following the screening, Marcia Gomes de Oliveira, Executive Director, apologized to the audience for not having Portuguese subtitles for five of the Japanese films (including 'A2-B-C') as had been hoped.  The Japan Foundation of Brazil (WEBSITE) had agreed to sponsor the subtitling of the films, but then they had a sudden change of heart at the last minute and rescinded their offer of sponsorship.  The festival organizers were crest-fallen, as were the cinema-goers, and it is justifiably assumed that the Japan Foundation's actions were politically motivated.

Despite this barrier, the screening was well-attended, and I was delighted to see many young people and families in the audience.  The post-screening discussion, led by Norbert G. Suchanek, Festival General Director, covered issues affecting both people in Fukushima and here in Brazil, where there is a strong debate surrounding the building of a third nuclear reactor.

As always, after the Q&A I filmed messages of support for the families in Fukushima from the people who saw the film (recent message compilations HERE).