Zemene. (Photo courtesy of the Harlem International Film Festival)
Tadias Magazine
By Tadias Staff
Published: Thursday, September 10th, 2015
New York (TADIAS) — The documentary entitled Zemene, featuring a 10-year-old Ethiopian girl’s healing journey and inspirational story, will premiere in New York on closing night at the Harlem International Film Festival this weekend. Zemenework, whose story is depicted in the film, will also be present at the premiere.
“We are excited and honored to confirm that Zemene will be journeying all the way from Ethiopia for this special premiere,” the Harlem International Film Festival announced. “We look forward to meeting this amazing girl and hearing from her and director Melissa Donovan.”
Donovan told Tadias that the film Zemene is also being considered for PBS and will be streamed on Indieflix, an independent film distribution and online streaming service, shortly after the Harlem screening.
“Living in a remote village with a rare curvature of the spine, Zemene struggles with poverty, poor education, and potentially life-threatening illnesses,” the press release states. “But a chance encounter in the streets of Gondar with Dr. Rick Hodes sets in motion a series of events that will change Zemene’s life and the future of her village forever. Shot throughout the beautiful countryside of Ethiopia, the film is a poetic testament to the power of compassion and the potential within us all.”
Zemene, which also screened at the Library of Congress last month, is winner of 7 awards including Best Documentary, Best Cinematography and Best Editing at the Boston Film Festival.
In his review of the film Ethiopian-born Abraham Verghese, medical doctor and author of Cutting for Stone, endorsed the film saying: “I will be getting everyone I know to watch this wonderful movie. It’s a reminder of our humanity and the great work that one person can do to change another person’s life. Just brilliant.”
The 10th Annual Harlem International Film Festival is co-sponsored by the Harlem Community Development Corporation.
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If You Go:
Sunday, September 13, 2015
7:00pm 9:30pm
Doors open at 7pm
Tickets $11.50 General Admission, $9 Student and Senior
Click here for more info
ZEMENE, feature documentary – Trailer from melissa donovan on Vimeo.
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