Opening Night

November 14, 2017 7pm, TRAFÓ

Opening speeches:
Oksana Sarkisova, festival director
Montserrat Feixas Vihe, head of UNHCR Regional Representation for Central Europe
Kornél Mundruczó, film director (Jupiter’s Moon 2017, White God 2014)

Musical interlude:
The internationally-renowned Iraqi lutist, Omar Bashir, who was born in Hungary, will play at the opening ceremony. His father, Munir Bashir, was acknowledged as the world's best lutist until his death, and was called the "King of the Lute". Having inherited his father's talent, Omar continues his musical legacy. He has held concerts around the world, including in Europe's largest concert halls. His multi-faceted music combines oriental sound, jazz and world music. Omar Bashir released a joint album with Al Di Meola, one of the world's leading guitarists.

Opening Film:
Nowhere to Hide
Zaradasht Ahmed • Norway, Sweden, Iraq • 2016 • 85min • Arabic

This year marks the first time the festival's opening event will be hosted by the Trafó Contemporary Arts House, and will feature an Iraq-Swedish-Norwegian co-produced film. Zaradasht Ahmed's Nowhere to Hide won the IDFA award for best film — the equivalent of an Academy Award. Ahmed is an Iraqi/Kurdish director living in Norway. He followed nurse Nori Sharif for five years in one of the world’s most dangerous and inaccessible areas, the “triangle of death” in central Iraq. Initially, the film captures the stories of survivors who hope for a better future as American and Coalition troops retreat from Iraq in 2011. However, as conflicts continue with Iraqi militias, the population, as well as most of the hospital staff, flees. Nori is one of the few who remain. When ISIS advances on Jalawla and takes over the city in 2014, the camera turns to Nori, who must now flee with his family.

The director of the film, Zaradasht Ahmed, will be present at the opening of the festival, and will talk with Oksana Sarkisova, the director of the Verzio Film Festival and he will take questions from the members of the audience as well.

Reception to follow.

A limited number of tickets are available for the opening of the 14th Verzio Film Festival. For information please visit TRAFÓ's website. Ticket: 2000 HUF

The evening is supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in Hungary.