{
  "id": 14843482,
  "title": "#SHOWBIZ: Uncover powerful stories of war and identity at Kino Film Festival 2026",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/showbiz-uncover-powerful-stories-of-war-and-identity-at-kino-film",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T02:00:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2026/10/1556594/showbiz-uncover-powerful-stories-war-and-identity-kino-film"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Starting from October 22, the 2026 Kino Film Festival in Malaysia will present a diverse range of movies and documentaries, shedding light on historical events, relationships, love, war, and everyday life. Among the eight films and one documentary featured in this year's festival, The Secret Floor stands out with its unique focus on World War 2 from a child's perspective.\n\nThe Secret Floor revolves around a 12-year-old boy named Karli, who discovers he can travel back in time using a lift in an old hotel. This remarkable ability allows him to witness the events of 1938, where he befriends a Jewish girl. The film explores the harrowing circumstances that led to the outbreak of World War 2, shedding light on the reasons behind the persecution of certain groups and the behaviors exhibited by individuals during that era. By presenting the story from a child's viewpoint, the movie aims to foster a deeper understanding of history among the audience.\n\nAnother notable film, Amrum, directed by Fatih Atkins, takes place in 1945 on the German North Sea coast. The story follows a 12-year-old boy named Nanning, who helps his family cope with the harsh realities of wartime. As refugees arrive in their serene seaside town, tensions rise, and Nanning becomes excited about the prospect of the war coming to an end. However, the film poses a poignant question: if Germany were to lose the war, would his father's sacrifice have been in vain? This coming-of-age narrative delivers a harsh reality that challenges the innocence of childhood.\n\nRose, directed by Markus Schleinzer, offers a harrowing portrayal of gender bias in European history, set at the end of the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). The lead character, Rose, is a woman who poses as a man for decades, taking on the identity of a deceased fellow soldier. When she seeks to expand her land, the neighboring farmer insists that she marry his daughter. Rose agrees, leading to a series of dark events that culminate in murder. This film, classified as suitable for viewers aged 18 and above, delves into the complexities of gender norms and identity during a turbulent period in history.",
  "summary": "MOVIES can offer different perspectives on historical events, relationships, love, war and everyday life.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "Centering historical conflicts through the eyes of children and marginalized identities shifts the festival's focus toward humanizing the complex social and political upheavals of the past.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}