Annual celebration 21 May
World Day for Cultural Diversity.
The full title for the celebration is World Day for Cultural Diversity, dialogue and development, and was established by UNESCO as a day for focusing on a wider understanding of each other, and a better dialogue around culture and religion.
UNESCO's declaration for cultural diversity came after the horrible events in USA 11 September 2001, as a reminder that the best way towards peace is through intercultural dialogue and cooperation.
Here's a variety of great movies, with a focus on accceptance for that which divides us, and a wider understanding of what ties us together.
Kapernaum (Lebanon)
12-year-old Zain already feels that he has lost the great lottery of life, and decides to sue his parents for bringing him into the world. Zain was born into a harsh environment, and is already serving a five years sentence for stabbing a man who tried to buy his 11-year-old sister. Kapernaum was Oscar-nominated.
Ma Ma (Spain, France)
Magda turns 40 and several things happen at the same time. Cancer, her husband leaving and she loses her job. But these things only make her more determined to see the positive in life, and give her more reasons to live.
Hvit (France, Poland)
Hvit (Blanc) is the second film in the color-trilogy (the colors of the French flag). The life of the young Polish man Karol in Paris hits rock bottom when he gets divorced, attacked and loses his home. He is given an opportunity to go back to Poland, and there his fortune changes. Returning to Paris, he decides to take revenge on his ex-wife and his attacker.
Pans labyrint (Spain, Mexico)
A fairytale for adults. We are in Spain towards the end of the second world war, and 12-year-old Ofelia's mother has married a fascist at a time when fascists are taking over the country. Behind their home, Ofelia finds a labyrinth, and soon she faces grave dangers both within and outside the labyrinth.
Timbuktu (France, Mauritania)
A village in Mali is taken over by jihadists. In a landscape that is almost supernaturally beautiful, terrible and heinous acts are being committed. The movie was Oscar-nominated, and has won several awards.
Still life (Hongkong, China)
Along the banks of the Three Gorges-dam cities are torn down and submerged in water, at the same time as the banks are a favourite place for entrepreneurs and criminals chasing easy money. We follow two characters that are both looking for their spouses.
From Afar (Mexico, Venezuela)
Armando is a lonely, elderly man who seeks out young men and pay for their company. When he encounters Elder, who leads a criminal gang, their lives change forever. The movie won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 2015.
Whale Rider (New Zealand)
Keisha Castle-Hughes became the youngest actor ever to be nominated for an Oscar with her role in Whale Rider. The lineage of the Whangara-people is at stake when the only one to carry it forward, is a girl. This New Zealand-drama is a fascinating image of a changing society.
Bye Bye Germany (Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg)
Following World War 2 a Jewish businessman wants to emigrate to the USA, but he needs funds to be able to do it. With the help of a group of fraudsters he decides to have his revenge on the Germans and make money at the same time. But his actions have unforeseen consequences. The movie reminds us never to stop learning from the past.
Our Last Tango (Argentina, Germany)
In this warm documentary we follow veterans María Nieves and Juan Carlos Copes through their careers as tango dancers. They danced together for 60 years, before separating abruptly. Now they reconvene to tell their story.
Animal (Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Austria)
A fast-paced and realistic movie about working in the entertainment industry. Kalia leads a group of dancers under the hot, Greek sun, at an all-inclusive hotel. When the lights ignite, the show must go on.
Published: 19/05/2025 Last updated: 19/05/2025
