Posted on May 4, 2008 - by Frank

NZ Human Rights Film Festival 2008

The Humanitarian Chronicle received this email regarding the New Zealand Human Rights Film Festival:

Dear Human Rights Supporter

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”

The Human Rights Network of Aotearoa is proud to present the fourth annual New Zealand Human Rights Film Festival - a cinematic event celebrating extraordinary people striving for success and achievement amidst the most difficult circumstances and conditions.

2008 is a particularly special year for the Human Rights movement as it’s the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the films shown during the festival not only celebrate how far we have come since the signing but also where work is still needed if the promise of the first Article - All human beings are born free and equal - is to be realised.

Human Rights Film Festival 2008

Wellington: 8-16 May | Paramount Theatre
Auckland: 15-23 May | Newmarket Rialto Cinema
Christchurch: 22-30 May | Regent Theatre
Dunedin: 29 May-6 June | Rialto Cinema

Please tell your friends, lovers, enemies, co-workers, family, students, and strangers about this important and unique festival. Why is it worthy of such a statement?

1) Because after each screening we have arranged speakers from the Human Rights Community to speak about the film and encourage discussion about how the film has affected you and what the consequences are, if any, for New Zealand society.

2) The festival includes award winning documentaries direct from film festivals such as the Toronto, San Francisco, Jerusalem, IDFA Amsterdam, and Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic) film festivals, and all films explore a range of pressing Human Rights issues including; exploitation in Maquilapolis – City of Factories, globalisation in Afghan Chronicles, genocide in The Dictator Hunter, exile in Western Sahara: Africa’s Last Colony, and war in Children of the Nation.

3) This not a festival of doom and gloom however, with most of the documentaries focusing on communities and individuals overcoming adversity, surviving against the odds and moving towards an inclusive and fulfilling society.

“In many ways this film programme emphasises the point that human rights are universal and enduring. The concerns of today are no different to those of 60 years ago, or those in 20 years time. The nature or essence of those rights will remain the inherent dignity and worth of the person. Concerns over the environment, globalisation, fair trade, accountability of political leaders, privatisation of utilities, and privacy dominate for now. However, the right to freedom of expression, the right not to be discriminated against, the right to life, and the right to safe working conditions have just as much cogency today as they did in 1948.”

For more information check out www.humanrightsfilmfest.net.nz or pick up a programme from your local library, café, or the any of the cinemas.

Please help spread the word and send this e-mail to everyone in your address book / database

Thank you

Boris van Beusekom & Carolyn Brown

Directors NZ Human Rights Film Festival