KUCHING: Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah notes that Brazil and Sarawak share several similarities in terms of environment, cultures and arts.
The Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said the Latin American nation has expressed its eagerness to enhance its bonds with Malaysia in the fields of culture and arts.
“We share the privilege of owning spectacular rainforest, the Borneo lowland rainforest and the great Amazon rainforest and the responsibility to protect both our forests as well as the livelihood of the communities who live in them without sacrificing either.
“We also share the common traits of having a plurality of ethnicities and cultures in our territories and preserving the tradition of the indigenous population.
“Our love for culture and music is testified through the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) with this year being its 26th edition,” said Karim, who represented Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the opening ceremony of the Brazilian Film Festival at Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) Mid Valley in Kuala Lumpur last night (Sept 19).
The festival, he said, served as a testament to Brazil’s thriving movie industry as well as the potential it holds to breach the hearts across this continent and at the same time, expose Malaysians to Brazilian movies.
“I’m very happy to see that this inaugural festival seems to garner encouraging support and hopefully it will be held again in the future,” he added.
Organized by the Embassy of Brazil in Malaysia, three movies will be screened from Sept 21 to 24, namely Aquarius, Bacurau, and Amazonia Groove.
The Brazilian Film Festival is free and open to the public.
Also present at the screening were Ambassador of Brazil to Malaysia Ary Norton de Murat Quintella and National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS) chairman Datuk Kamil Othman.
