Social Justice / Peace Issues Movies at 2002 Fest

Social Justice / Peace Issues Movies at the 2002 New Zealand International Film Festival

Hello everybody,

Thank you for all of your warm support so far for the 2002 New Zealand International Film Festivals. I am writing to let you know that our brochures are now widely available in Auckland and Wellington, and the booking offices are open and expecting a flood of bookings for our marvellous political / social justice films this year!

These include: A Huey P. Newton Story: Spike Lee's latest feature film captures an astounding one-man show about the Black Panther co-founder Huey P. Newton.

Beneath Clouds: Startling NSW landscapes feature predominately in this road movie in which a young runaway protagonist seems to have cut loose from her alcoholic Aboriginal mother, in the hope of finding her absent Irish father whose photo she has clung to since she was a child.

Blind Spot. Hitler's Secretary: An exceptional documentary whereby Hitler's personal secretary, Traudl Junge breaks her three decade silence about her experiences inside the Third Reich.

Coffee, Tea or Me? A wry look at the changing image of New Zealand's air hostesses over the years is chronicled in Brita McVeigh's fascinating documentary which also covers their struggle for equal rights, pay and superannuation entitlements.

Culturejam: Jill Sharpe's smart, witty documentary follows the exploits of pranksters and artists who express their anti-corporate frustration, not with violence but with a much more subversive approach - culture jamming!

Domestic Violence: Frederick Wiseman, the famed American documentarian presents his latest feature centred around life and work in a refuge for battered women and children in Tampa, Florida.

First Kill: Coco Schjijber's challenging documentary tackles the uncomfortable issue of those soldiers who enjoy the rush of killing.

Good Husband, Dear Son: In 1992, Ahatovici, a picturesque village outside Sarajevo was irrecoverably shattered by the death of eighty percent of their male population. The aftermath of this event is richly detailed in this extraordinary film.

Hell House: Operating on a shoe-string budget, this fascinating documentary will take you inside the annual Halloween ritual at the Trinity Christian School in Texas whose aim is to save souls by exploring contentious issues like aids and homosexuality to dramatic effect.

In A Land Of Plenty: Alistair Barry's long awaited companion piece to Someone Else's Country, sets out to demonstrate how unemployment in the 1980's was a strategy of market reforms.

Life and Debt: An investigation into the consequences globalisation has had on under developed countries focusing particularly on the International Monetary Funds devastation of Jamaica's agricultural industries.

Lumumba: The story of Patrice Lumumba's two month period as prime minister of a newly liberated Congo post Belgian rule.

The New Country: Winner of Best Film and Best Screenplay prizes at last year's Nordic film awards, director Jorgensen's gritty comedy explores the status of illegal immigrants in Sweden through the relationship between an older Iranian man and a teenage Somali boy who meet in a refuge.

Secret Ballot: Winner of the Best Director award at Venice in 2001, this highly entertaining feature film centres on the personality clashes between a young woman in charge of collecting votes on election day and the local soldier.

Store Wars: An exploration into one small American town's battle with corporate America to prevent the largest corporation in the US (WalMart) from jeopardizing their local industry.

Two Towns of Jasper: Using two separate filmmaking teams - an all white crew filming white residents and an all black crew filming black residents - this incredible feature film captures the very different views held by local townsfolk during a racially charged murder trial.

War and Peace: Anand Patwardhan's impressive documentary explores both sides of the political nature of nuclear proliferation in contemporary Indian and Pakistani society during 1998.

War Photographer: James Nachtwey's impressive career as one of the world's leading war photographers is the subject of this enlightening documentary which provides a privileged glimpse into the harsh reality of his chosen occupation.

Tickets can be booked by calling: Auckland (09) 307 5000 Wellington (04) 384 3840

Our free brochures, (containing all programme, schedule, booking and venue details), can be readily located at local libraries, bookstores & cafes. Another option is to visit our website at www.nzff.co.nz for all programme details. (Note: Group discounts are available by telephoning Ticketek on (09) 307 5000 and pre booking to avoid disappointment is advised).

The dates for our festivals are: 34th Auckland International Film Festival Friday July 12 to Sunday July 28

31st Wellington Film Festival Friday July 19 to Sunday August 4

We would greatly appreciate it if you could assist us in spreading the word about these films among your networks. If you know of any other people or organisations that would be interested in receiving this information, please do not hesitate to either let us know or share this information with them. Should you require any further details, or have specific enquiries, please feel free to contact me on the telephone numbers listed at the bottom of the page.

Thank you so much for your time and help.

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