[:nl]Omdat wij mooi waren [:en]Because we were beautiful[:]
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Meermalen bekroonde documentaire waarin voormalige Indonesische ‘troostmeisjes’ schoorvoetend hun levensverhaal vertellen. Verteld door de ogen van fotograaf Jan Banning (World Press Photo Award portretten 2004) en journaliste Hilde Janssen, die op zoek gaan naar deze Indonesische vrouwen en hun verhalen.
De documentaire (regie Frank van Osch) werd in 2010 door de NOS uitgezonden en werd internationaal bekroond met de prijs voor beste documentaire 2011 op het Big Muddy Film Festival, Carbondale, Illinois (USA) en eerste prijs op het Artivist festival in Hollywood (USA), in de categorie Human Rights. De documentaire werd tevens geselecteerd voor het United Nations Association Film Festival (San Francisco USA, 2011) en Byron Bay International Film Festival (Byron Bay Australië, 2012).
Suzanne van Leendert was de uitvoerend producent en zorgde voor de financiering en productie van de documentaire voor Van Osch Films.
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Filmmaker Frank van Osch travelled through Indonesia where he searched for former ‘comfort women’, together with photographer Jan Banning (World Press Photo Award 2004) and journalist Hilde Janssen. During the Second World War these women were forced to carry out sexual activities in military brothels, encampments and Japanese barracks.
In ‘Because we were beautiful’ a number of these women tell their story about the systematic rape, the humiliation, the fear and how this influenced their lives. Despite the taboo that is still attached to this subject. A documentary full of shame, sorrow and reluctantly told life stories.
AWARDS
‘Because we were beautiful’ has won the award for best documentary 2011 at the Big Muddy Film Festival, Carbondale, Illinois (USA) and the first prize at the Artivist Film Festival, Los Angeles/Hollywood (USA).
‘Because we were beautiful’ has also been screened at the 2011 UNAFF (United Nations Association Film Festival, San Fransisco, USA) the 2012 Byron Bay Film Festival (Australia) and was broadcasted in several countries.
Suzanne van Leendert organised the financing and production for Van Osch Films.
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