The Human Rights Arts and Film Festival (HRAFF) is celebrating its second year with 65 films, of which 36 are Australian premieres.
…The Greatest Silence has screened across the world to wide acclaim and political attention, and it has won prizes at the Sundance Film Festival (2008 Special Jury Prize for Documentaries), the Amnesty International Film Festival (2007 Movies That Matter Distribution Award, where it screened as a work-in-progress), the Rome Independent Film Festival (2008 Best Documentary).
…Lisa F. Jackson filmed and narrates her extraordinary documentary, which focuses on the catastrophe affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo’s most vulnerable…their Interviews are heartbreaking to hear.
…Stemming from the ‘economies of the war,’ these victims of rape must be heard, and those responsible held accountable, affirms Jackson. Including “the 19 UN Peacekeepers implicated in rape and sexual exploitation, exchanging milks and eggs for having sex with girls as young as ten”. Interviewee, Women’s advocate Christine Schuyler Deschryver stating, “it started in 1999 — the bodies of the women became like the playground.”
…The documentary also shares potential avenues for hope and change in Congo and what can be done by those internationally —The Greatest Silence is accompanied by a website that lists opportunities for Activism & Outreach that has resulted in policy changes to human rights initiative.
…Jackson will attend the HRAFF Canberra screening (Fri 21 November @ The Finkel Theatre, 6:30pm) and the Melbourne screening (Saturday 22 November @ the Kino 3:00pm) of The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo.
The special Sydney screening on Tuesday 25 November 6:15pm at Dendy Cinemas, King Street Newtown is FREE though seats are limited. Contact caritas@caritas.org.au to reserve your seats. For more information call (02) 8306 3444.
Human Rights Arts and Film Festival dates:
Melbourne: November 12 – 30
Canberra: November 20 – 22
Perth: November 28 – 29
Sydney: December 4 – 7
Brisbane: March 6 – 7 2009
For national film screening schedules visit the website at www.hraff.org.au
To read full story go to the SBS wesite at: www.sbs.com.au