ENEMIES OF HAPPINESS
Winner in the 2007 Sundance Film Festival

Enemies of Happiness wins "The world cinema jury prize for documentary" in Sundance It has already received Silver Wolf Award at the 2006 International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA).

The vibe in Park City was decidedly different Saturday night and Sunday. After 10 days, the nation's largest and most important independent film festival was closing up shop.

The Sundance House and the other official non-theater venues of the festival were more or less empty while still remaining open, and even those left behind were a little more subdued, feeling more like the morning after the party than the party itself. The theaters were still showing movies however, and for many who did indeed "focus on film" as the Sundance button campaign suggested, there was still plenty of festival to embrace.

Saturday night featured all the award-winning jury and audience films showing to audiences while the official announcements were made at the award ceremony for journalists and filmmakers.

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Inside, after the 70 or so standby tickets were issued, winning film "Enemies of Happiness" was showcased as the winner. It follows the 10 days of female Afghanistan parliament candidate Malalai Joya preceding the first election in 35 years held in 2005. Joya is probably the most famous woman in her country, and as a result her life is in constant danger from the Taliban and other enemies who want to kill her for being outspoken and female.

The film, directed by Eva Mulvad, follows the candidate before during and after the historic election that results in her inclusion in the new government. Joya is controversial because she openly criticizes the government for allowing "war lords" and remnants of the Taliban to play a role in society rather than prosecuting them as criminals. She speaks often of the ideals of a free government and society.

Instead of interviewing the young politician or talking to others about her, Mulvad follows the candidate and records her and those in her community who look to her for wisdom and help, King Solomon-style.

Speaking after the film to a wildly appreciative audience, Mulvad was happy with the award and claimed to be happy to leave the party she had been attending.

"The stories we hear about Afghanistan are very black and white," she said. "And we hear a lot of negative stuff. I wanted to tell a story that was more human so we can understand the basic problems of an Afghani."

She was also interested in showing an Afghani Muslim in a heroic role, something else rarely portrayed.

"We are used to having democracy and free speech, and sometimes we get a little lazy," she said. Joya on the other hand is constantly in danger of being assassinated but continues with her efforts, moving constantly, requiring 12 bodyguards, wearing a concealing burka when she travels and never letting up on her call for the rights of the women and poor in her country.

According to Mulvad, Joya's microphone has been silenced three times in parliament, and the threats of violence continue.

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