Draft:United Nations Movie Society
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UN Movie Society
[edit]The UN Movie Society (UNMS) is a group affiliated with the United Nations Staff Recreation Council that organizes film-related events at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Society uses cinema as a medium to explore topics related to the principles and work of the United Nations, including peace, human rights, cultural understanding, and gender equality.[1] The Society hosts film screenings, panel discussions, and cultural programs, which are also made available through UN Web TV[2] and the United Nations’ official YouTube channel.
History
[edit]The UN Movie Society was established in 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters. It was founded by Brenda Vongova, an international civil servant at the United Nations, with the aim of creating a space for film appreciation within the context of the United Nations.
Activities
[edit]The Society’s programs focus on films that address issues of international concern. It collaborates with filmmakers and cultural institutions to organize events that include screenings and discussions. The Society also seeks to provide a platform for artistic expression related to global and humanitarian topics.
Selected Programs
[edit]REEL COMPASSION: When Movies and the Missions Meet
[edit]In January 2024, the Society launched a program titled "REEL COMPASSION", designed to highlight how film can relate to the goals of the United Nations. The first session included a discussion with director Christian Carion about his film Driving Madeleine, which addresses themes such as aging and gender.[3][4]
Shakespeare at the UN
[edit]On 23 April 2024, to mark English Language Day, the Society held an event titled Shakespeare at the UN in collaboration with Shakespeare’s Globe and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.[5]
Performers included:
- Adrian Lester CBE delivering a monologue from Sir Thomas More
- Contributors performing in various UN official languages and in sign language
- A welcome address by H.E. Dame Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the UN
The 2nd Annual Shakespeare at the UN event was held on 23 April 2025 on the global channels of the United Nations, including UN Web TV and social media platforms. The event featured performances and readings by international actors and diplomats, celebrating Shakespeare's legacy in the context of diplomacy and cultural exchange.[6][7][8]
FROM GROUND ZERO
[edit]On 21 February 2025, the Society held an event titled "FROM GROUND ZERO – A UN Movie Society Global Event", featuring excerpts from the film From Ground Zero, a collection of short works by Palestinian filmmakers. The screening was followed by a discussion about filmmaking in conflict contexts.
Speakers included:
- H.E. Mr. Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the UN
- Director Rashid Masharawi
Special Screening: FLOW
[edit]On 27 May 2025, the UN Movie Society, in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Latvia to the United Nations, hosted a special screening of the 2025 Academy Award-winning animated feature film FLOW at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The event featured opening remarks by H.E. Sanita Pavluta-Deslandes, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Latvia to the United Nations, marking Latvia’s first Academy Award win. Brenda Vongova, President and Artistic Director of the UN Movie Society, also delivered remarks on the film's thematic relevance to United Nations values and its depiction of challenges faced in contemporary global contexts.[11][12] In connection with the screening, a virtual global conversation with the film’s producer, Matīss Kaža, was also presented by the UN Movie Society and the Permanent Mission of Latvia. The event was broadcast live and is available on demand via UN Web TV and the United Nations’ global YouTube channel.[13][14][15]
FLOW is a dialogue-free animated film that follows a black cat, dog, capybara, lemur, and secretary bird as they navigate a catastrophic flood in a post-apocalyptic world. The film explores themes of companionship, resilience, and adaptation in the face of crisis, portraying interspecies cooperation and mutual reliance without verbal communication.
Collaborations
[edit]The Society has worked with individuals and institutions such as:
- Director Christian Carion
- Royal Shakespeare Company
- Shakespeare’s Globe
- Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
- Watermelon Pictures
Broadcast
[edit]Events and recordings produced by the Society are made available through:
Founder
[edit]Brenda Vongova is a civil servant at the United Nations and the founder of the UN Movie Society. She has worked in various departments, including the Office of the President of the UN General Assembly[16] and the Executive Office of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and António Guterres.
References
[edit]- ^ "UN Movie Society - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
- ^ "UN Web TV Search: UN Movie Society". UN Web TV. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
- ^ "A Conversation with Oscar-Nominated Director C. Carion". UN.org. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
- ^ "Driving Madeleine – UN Web TV". UN Web TV. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
- ^ "Shakespeare at the UN 2024 – Central takes part in Shakespeare at the UN Broadcast Event". Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
- ^ "Shakespeare at the UNMS 2025". Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ "English Language Day". UN.org. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
- ^ "Shakespeare at the UN – UN Web TV". UN Web TV. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
- ^ "UN Movie Society to Feature the Film 'Ground Zero'". UN.org. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
- ^ "Ground Zero – UN Web TV". UN Web TV. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
- ^ "Special Movie Screening Featuring the 2025 Oscar-Winning Animated Feature Film FLOW". United Nations. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "Latvian Ambassador to the UN: The message of the FLOW animated movie echoes UN commitment to diversity, cooperation and shared responsibility for building a sustainable and harmonious world". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "Join us for a virtual global launch celebrating FLOW, Latvia's first Oscar-winning film". Permanent Mission of Latvia to the United Nations. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "Global Event featuring Oscar-winning movie FLOW". UN Web TV. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "FLOW Interview Event". UN Web TV. Retrieved 2025-05-28.
- ^ "Office of the President of the General Assembly – 62nd session". UN.org. Retrieved 2025-07-17.