Buddhist film wins Catholic prize

The "Thai Catholic Social Communications" centre has presented an award to a television film, "Buddhism in India: The Rise, the Fall, and the Return of disciples". An award also went to a film for cinema which tackles Down Syndrome.

Bangkok (AsiaNews) – A film for television entitled "Buddhism in India: The Rise, the Fall, and the Return of disciples" has won the Catholic Media Award presented by the Catholic Social Communications of Thailand (CSCT).The presentation ceremony was presided over by  Bishop George Yod Phimpisarn, CSCT President. The film won the award because it realized the value of Buddhism, and considered how Buddhists can preserve their faith and practice it more concretely.

Mrs Laksana from the Panorama Worldwide Company said: "I feel very proud that CSCT recognized and appreciated our film and of course it will be a further inspiration for us to produce something beneficial to the society."

Other films upholding family values and inter-religious prayer also received awards. One of these is a film for cinema, "Beautiful Wonderful Perfect", produced by Sahamongkol Film International. The film is about children with Down Syndrome. Somsak Techaratanaprasert, the film director said: "The objective of the film is to present human values, to give the message that all men are created equal. It also gives a view on how can a family which has this syndrome can live happily in the society."

The CSCT gives awards each year to promote proper use of means of communication. According to CSCT, immorality in the media leads to violence in society, a decline in ethical behaviour and in culture. The centre therefore urges those working in the sector to do so responsibly, to seek to promote reflection and not violence, and to resolve society's problems. Padre Anthony Vorayuth Kitbamrung, CSCT director, said: "Today the media, which is part of our daily living, has much influence on our lives especially on children and youth. The government realizes the risk and in December it will launch a campaign against different types of dissolute conduct in the country, like pornography and immoral books."

Founded on 6 August 1967 by Bishop Alan Vangavier, the CSCT promotes the use of audio and visual means to announce the Good News. The centre also aims to teach Catholic students to recognize and to protect themselves from risks threatening them. To date, the centre has produced films about child prostitution, drugs and abortion.

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• buddhists
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• down
• syndrome