Eastern European cinema enriches city's cultural scene
Performers from the UK, Finland, and Germany breathe life into myth and movement in Erisychthon, a theatrical production by the West Midlands Stage Group. The show blends music, masks, and expressive choreography to create a captivating performance experience. Photo: Express
The 39-day World Culture Festival 2025, hosted by the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP), continues to enchant Karachi with its vibrant celebration of global arts. On its twelfth day, the festival offered a rich tapestry of storytelling, cinema, and music that left audiences spellbound.
The day opened with a magical children's theatre performance of "The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs", staged by the Eurythmy WM Stage Group from the UK and directed by Maren Stott. The play followed the journey of a poor boy whose destiny-foretold at birth-promised marriage to a king's daughter and a life of fortune. Despite the king's repeated efforts to thwart fate, destiny triumphed.
The tale unfolded through expressive movement, vivid colors, and whimsical music, captivating both children and adults. The audience responded with laughter, applause, and admiration for the play's imaginative storytelling and visual charm.
Under the festival's "Eastern European Focus" segment, three compelling films offered glimpses into the region's emotional and cultural landscapes. From Poland, filmmaker Sebastian Kwidzinski presented "Mother", a poignant short drama exploring domestic violence and the path to redemption. The film's raw emotion moved many in the audience to tears.
Next, the documentary "Nihikéyah (Our Land)"-a collaborative production from Belarus, Lithuania, and the USA-delved into the struggles of a young family displaced by coal mining.