AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL - MARCH 19-21

The University of Georgia’s chapter of Amnesty International presents their Second Annual Human Rights Film Festival with a weekend of film screenings focusing on global human rights. Amnesty International is the world's largest grassroots human rights organization that is dedicated to ending human rights abuses.

All weekend shows will be FREE to the public to help spread community awareness about human rights. The UGA chapter members will also be on hand to sell memberships, photos from around the world, and handmade jewelry to benefit Amnesty International.

BURMA VJ

[ UK, 2009, Digital, Dir: Anders Ostergaard, 84min, NR ]
Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, and winner of over 40 international awards, BURMA VJ follows the courageous young citizens of Burma, who risk torture and life in jail to live the essence of journalism as they insist on keeping up the flow of news from their closed country. Armed with small handycams the Burma VJs stop at nothing to make their reportages from the streets of Rangoon. Their material is smuggled out of the country and broadcast back into Burma via satellite and offered as free usage for international media. The whole world has witnessed single event clips made by the VJs, but for the very first time, their individual images have been carefully put together and at once, they tell a much bigger story. The film offers a unique insight into high-risk journalism and dissidence in a police state, while at the same time providing a thorough documentation of the historical and dramatic days of September 2007, when the Buddhist monks started marching.

SHOWTIMES: 7:00p - FRIDAY 3/19 - and - 5:15p - SUNDAY 3/21

THE STONING OF SORAYA M

[ USA 2009, Digital, Dir:  Cyrus Nowrestah, 114min, R ]
Based on an incredible true story, THE STONING OF SORAYA M was inspired by Paris-based journalist Freidoune Sahebjam’s acclaimed international best-seller of the same name, which, rife with intrigue and moral outrage, first brought global attention to the story of Soraya, who in 1986 was buried to her waist in her hometown square and stoned to death by her fellow villagers. Starring Jim Caviezel, Mozhan Marno, and Academy Award nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo in the heroic role of Zahra, an Iranian woman who risks everything to use the only weapon she has left – her fearless, passionate voice that can share Soraya’s story with a shocked world -- this powerful tale of a village’s persecution of an innocent woman becomes both a classic fable of good and evil and an inspiring tribute to the many fighting against injustice all around the world.

SHOWTIMES: 9:00p - FRIDAY 3/19 - and - 7:00p - SATURDAY 3/20

SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION

[ USA 2009, Digital, Dir: Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman, 82min, NR ]
SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music - the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, in paddy wagons, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality. The music that evolved from slave chants, from the labor movement, and especially from the black church, enabled blacks to sing words they could not say, and was crucial in helping the protesters as they faced down brutal aggression with dignity and non-violence. The infectious energy of the songs swept people up and empowered them to fight for their rights. Executive produced by Danny Glover, the film is a vibrant blend of heart-wrenching interviews with civil rights foot soldiers and leaders, riveting archival footage, dramatic images, and thrilling contemporary performances by top artists, including John Legend, Joss Stone, Wyclef Jean, and The Roots -- a film of significance, energy, and power.

SHOWTIMES: 9:30p - SATURDAY 3/20 - and - 3:00p - SUNDAY 3/21