Documentary at mac
Screen WM are proud to support a season of documentaries at mac - hope to see you there soon!
Tuesday 11 September -
The Iron Wall
Mohammed Alatar: Israel/Palestine 2006; 52mins
Following the 1967 occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, more than 200 settlements and outposts have been built in these territories in violation of international law.
Alatar’s documentary explores the history and development of the settlements, their relationship to official Israeli government policy and asks whether the construction of the Wall will make them a permanent and irreversible presence in the land. Featuring interviews with prominent Israeli and Palestinian peace activists, political analysts (including Jeff Halper, Akiva Eldar and Hind Khoury), Israeli settlers and soldiers, and Palestinian farmers.
This special screening will be followed by a discussion with Abe Hayeem, Coordinator of Architects and Planners for Justice in Palestine.
Thursday 13 September
- Fidel
Estela Bravo: US 2001; 1hr 31mins
A unique view of one of the most influential and controversial figures of our time, through exclusive interviews with Castro himself, historians, public figures and close friends. Those interviewed include Alice Walker, Harry Belafonte, Sidney Pollack, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, US government officials and Castro family members. In addition the film features Fidel talking with such figures as Nelson Mandela, Muhammed Ali and members of the Buena Vista Social Club. Juxtaposing the personal anecdotal with the history of the Cuban revolution to date, Bravo’s film presents a new view of this powerful and compelling figure.
This special screening will be followed by a discussion hosted by the Cuba Solidarity Campaign.
Tuesday 2 October
- The Power of Community: How Cuba survived peak oil
Faith Morgan: US 2006; 53mins
When Cuba lost access to Soviet oil in the early 90s, the country faced an immediate crisis – feeding the population – and an ongoing challenge: how to create a new low-energy society. Cuba transformed its economy from a large fossil-fuel intensive industrial agriculture to a more sustainable, small, less energy-intensive one populated by organic farms and urban gardens. As the world approaches Peak Oil, Cuba’s story, one of hardship, ingenuity and triumph over sudden adversity proves a valuable study in energy conservation.
This special screening will be followed by a discussion hosted by the Cuba Solidarity Campaign.
Tuesday 16 October -
Beauty Queen
Billy Dosanijh: UK 2006; 40mins
Over the weekend of 22-23 October 2005, the Lozells district of Birmingham witnessed unprecedented violence between Asian and Afro- Caribbean youths, 20 years almost to the day after the riots in nearby Handsworth. It all began with a rumour that an Afro-Caribbean teenage girl was assaulted by Asian men. For over a week, the rumour spread among the Afro-Caribbean community, creating increasing anger and tension. Billy Dosanijh’s film explores the events leading up to the riots and examines the question of whether the local community is mired indefinitely in segregation.
This special screening will be introduced by the director and followed by a discussion focussing on issues the film raises.
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