The Giant Buddhas
Special Jury Mention
In February 2001, six months before the attacks on the Twin Towers, the Taliban issued a decree calling for the destruction of all non-Islamic-related statues in Afghanistan. Despite resounding outrage from the international community, the world lost two of its most magnificent landmarks. A pair of enormous stone Buddhas, hewn from the side of a cliff in the Bamiyan Valley more than 1,600 years ago, was blown to bits by Islamic fundamentalists. |
“There is no more important film at the festival this year,” says jury member Les Guthman. “The Giant Buddhas is a chilling meditation on the destruction of sacred art and culture by religious fundamentalists; a crime against humanity, of course, that is not limited to Afghanistan.” Switzerland/Germany, 2005, 95 minutes Directed and produced by Christian Frei Production company: Christian Frei Filmproductions GmbH / Schweizer Fernsehen DRS / ZDF-ARTE / Suissimage |
