Peter Malone talks about the 9th Dhaka Int¿l Film Festival

(L) Peter Malone, (R) Loaded Brush, an Australian film

Asked to give his impression of the film festival, Malone says, that it is easier to see Asian films in an Asian context, and especially with an Asian audience. He says that they acquainted an outsider like himself with a different culture, e.g. there was the Sri Lankan film, Butterfly Wing, which had its focus on a poor family and a little boy. The audience applauded the film and there was a strong communication between the film and the viewers. There was an emotional feeling, he said, that outsiders needed to share. The same was true of the Iranian film, Café Transit, he said, but once again, while Three Dollars showed an honest person, Café Transit showed a very good, strong and independent woman, in the context of an oppressive patriarchal society. It was a very moving presentation of a woman. The Indian film, In the Name of God had a similar powerful depiction of a determined woman. The focus was on contemporary terrorism. The protagonist had to take a stand, he said, as she had made an amoral choice.

Seeing the film in Asia made much more impact, he said, than if he had seen it in Australia or England, where he is based.

"Being a judge is very interesting," said Malone, "The atmosphere of the large audience and the warm response has amazed me. The pace of the festival is different from the high powered European festivals -- you could not possibly see most of the films in Berlin or Cannes. Here there's the possibility of seeing many of the films. The atmosphere, created specially for the delegates and visitors, is so warm and hospitable that it's an eye opening experience of the country as well as for the festival and for the films."

Malone began writing film reviews at school. He has been writing such reviews of popular releases since 1968.