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