HUMAN RIGHTS DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL 2016
Co-presented by:
Centre for Comparative & Public Law
LL.M in Human Rights Programme
Faculty of Law, The University of Hong Kong
Mini Acts for the Greater Good
March 21-23, 2016
SYNOPSES & TRAILERS
In Tanzania, witch doctors are spreading a belief that the body parts of albino people will bring wealth and good fortune. Referred to as ‘White Ghosts’ and ‘Devils’ within their communities, the superstition surrounding them has grown so strong that albinos now fear for their lives.
Filmed over six years ’In The Shadow Of The Sun’ tells the story of two albino men as they attempt to follow their dreams in the face of prejudice and fear in Tanzania. Against the backdrop of an escalation in brutal murders of people with albinism, quietly determined 15-year-old Vedastus still dreams of completing his education. Josephat Torner has dedicated his life to campaigning against the discrimination of his people and decides to leave home and travel to confront the communities who may be hiding the murderers. If they want to achieve their aims, Josephat and Vedastus will have to overcome not only other people's prejudice, but also their own fears - because the murderers could always be waiting just around the next corner. Rationality is Josephat's shield: "We can't be refugees in our own country just because of our color."
Through an intimate portrait of Vedastus and Josephat, director Harry Freeland reveals a story of deep-rooted superstition, suffering and incredible strength.
IN THE SHADOW OF THE SUN
Director: Harry Freeland (2012 / 88m)
OPEN ROAD AFTER HARVEST
Director: Ho Lun Fredie Chan (2015 / 100m)
In such a difficult situation in Hong Kong agriculture, to local farmers, before expecting a good harvest, they have to first overcome the problems caused by agricultural policy implementation, land policy and urban development in Hong Kong. This film is about three middle-aged local organic farmers and their farming stories: A peasant leader, who faces political infiltration in organization, decides to quit and focuses on his farming; a rural woman who fights against North East New Territories development plan and taking care of her sick husband at the same time, decides to combine family life with her home farming; a sixty years old truck driver who decides to have a career change, trying to live a fearless and free life as a farmer.
THE TRUE COST
Director: Andrew Morgan (2015 / 92min)
This is a story about clothing. It’s about the clothes we wear, the people who make them, and the impact the industry is having on our world. The price of clothing has been decreasing for decades, while the human and environmental costs have grown dramatically. The True Cost is a groundbreaking documentary film that pulls back the curtain on the untold story and asks us to consider, who really pays the price for our clothing?
Filmed in countries all over the world, from the brightest runways to the darkest slums, and featuring interviews with the world’s leading influencers including Stella McCartney, Livia Firth and Vandana Shiva, The True Cost is an unprecedented project that invites us on an eye opening journey around the world and into the lives of the many people and places behind our clothes.