Amnesty International interns to screen a New Zealand premiere
Thursday 28 October 2010, 2:36PM
By Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand
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The Amnesty International ‘Rights, Camera, Action!’ Mini Film Festival kicks of this week at Auckland University as part of the 2010 Intern Challenge to raise awareness of global human rights issues.
“There are four days of action-packed screenings and discussions organised and we have gained exclusive rights to a New Zealand premiere,” says Individuals at Risk Intern Amanda Brydon.
The premiere, titled: “This Prison Where I Live” will screen on Friday 29 October at 6:30pm and centres around revealing and deeply moving interviews of Myanmar’s greatest living comic Zarganar in 2007. Relentlessly victimised by Myanmar’s military government, he is now in prison and an Amnesty International Prisoner of conscience.
The film also portrays the journey of well known German comedian Michael Mittermeier as he explores the personality, motivation and the talent of the man who describes himself as the ‘loudspeaker’ for his people.
Hearing of Zarganar’s fate and seeing the footage, Michael Mittermeier joined with director Rex Bloomstein to make a film about this man who has paid such a price for speaking out against the government. Together with a small team, they travelled secretly to Myanmar.
His motivation? “That with the help of this movie, the world will get to know the name of this man,” says Mittermeier.
“The film is a fantastic example of the power that comedy can have in giving people the courage to speak out against repressive regimes and it serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of the right to freedom of expression,” says Amanda.
Following the screening Burmese human rights activist and journalist Ko Tin Zaw Moe will lead a discussion on the situation in Myanmar and the plight of the thousands of political prisoners held against their will.
The ‘Rights, Camera, Action’ Film Festival runs from 27-29 October at the University of Auckland, followed by a full day of repeat screenings on 30 October at Waiheke Island’s Artworks Community Theatre. Films included in the festival are the Ayfer Ergün documentary “Against My Will” and the multi award-winning New Zealand documentary “This Way of Life”. Entry to any of the films is by donation, with a recommended koha/donation of $10 (which includes a raffle ticket to Amnesty’s Action Raffle).
With Myanmar’s first elections to be held in 20 years fast approaching (7 November), the Amnesty interns have also organised petitions calling for freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of assembly and the release of all prisoners of conscience. New Zealanders who attend the screening will be able to take action on behalf of the people of Myanmar.
Amnesty International’s interns invite you to come along to the festival to show your support for human rights and join in solidarity with human rights defenders around the world.