| Human Rights Watch International Film Festival Living | | | | discussion with the filmmaker to follow. The |
| amidst New York City's many cultures and crazy | | | | Q&A sessions are fantastic and brilliant chances |
| festivals and celebratory events, we tend to forget | | | | for the audience to better understand on a deeper |
| that there is a vast world beyond the city borders. | | | | level the messages in the film with the actual |
| Fortunately enough, the city also gives opportunities | | | | visionaries. On June 17th, I attended the New York |
| to see and learn more about the world beyond the | | | | premiere of "Enemies of Happiness" by Eva Mulvad, |
| five boroughs. The 13th annual Human Rights Watch | | | | 2007 Nestor Almendros Prize winner for courage in |
| (HRW) International Film Festival is here in New York | | | | filmmaking. The film follows the personal courage and |
| from June 15-28th. The Human Rights Watch | | | | conviction of the most famous and infamous Afghani |
| Organization tracks developments in more than 70 | | | | woman, Malalai Joya, who ran in her country's first |
| countries around the world. They follow issues in | | | | democratic parliamentary election back in 2005 at the |
| women's rights, children's rights, and the flow of arms | | | | age of 28. Joya is an advocate for women's rights |
| to abusive forces. Other special projects include | | | | and voice of "freedom loving democracy" for the |
| academic freedom, the human rights responsibilities of | | | | country's citizens challenging the power of warlords in |
| corporations, international justice, prisons, drugs, and | | | | a new government. There are moments in the film |
| refugees. The list goes on, seemingly in correlation | | | | that are so raw and naked, no words are spoken in |
| with some of the cruelties we all too often find in | | | | order to show just how vulnerable humans can be. |
| human nature. Recognizing the power of film to | | | | The audience applauded as Eva Mulvad and Malalai |
| educate and incite citizens, HRW created the Human | | | | Joya stepped on stage after the viewing. Malalai Joya |
| Rights Watch International Film Festival where they | | | | undoubtedly has passion and sincerity in her voice as |
| showcase the heroic stories of activists and survivors | | | | she tackles the controversial issues faced by her |
| from all over the world. The works featured help | | | | people and her nation. We all know there are stories |
| "put a human face on threats to individual freedom | | | | well beyond our own and unfortunately, we tend to |
| and dignity, and celebrate the power of the human | | | | forget that. People all over the world go through the |
| spirit and intellect to prevail." This year, HRW | | | | same emotions, we all cry when we're sad and we all |
| presents twenty-four films and videos from nineteen | | | | smile and laugh when we're happy, but we all have |
| countries. The films represent differing issues faced | | | | our own struggles and challenges faced each day. |
| by the world today. Some are well-known and | | | | The positive light of the film festival is we can all |
| popular, such as the topic of global warming and the | | | | learn from each other. Human Rights Watch |
| environment in "Everything's Cool" by Daniel B. Gold | | | | International Film Festival provides a chance to see |
| and Judith Helfand and "Manufactured Landscapes" by | | | | beyond our borders. "We seek to empower |
| Jennifer Baichwal. Some films also include the most | | | | everyone with the knowledge that personal |
| controversial topics of genocide in Darfur and the | | | | commitment can make a very real difference." - |
| Israeli-Palestinian conflict in "The Devil Came on | | | | HRW All films are screened at: Walter Reade Theater |
| Horseback" by Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern and | | | | at Lincoln Center 165 W. 65th St., plaza level |
| "Hot House" by Shimon Dotan. The unique benefit of | | | | (between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. |
| attending some of the films' showings is the | | | | |