News & Events

2012 Amnesty International Film Festival Opens November 5

November 2, 2012

UNC Asheville's Amnesty International chapter presents a film festival, November 5-9, featuring four documentaries selected for their power, inspirational qualities, and ability to raise awareness of human rights issues.

"We are a group of students working to educate the community about human rights violations," said Charlotte Pate, president of UNC Asheville's Amnesty International chapter. "Film provides insight it is hard to get from a book or news article, and can reach people on a personal level to honor human rights."

The 2012 Amnesty International Film Festival lineup is:

Monday, Nov. 5 – "The Invisible War" – a documentary about sexual abuse within the U.S. military that won an audience award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

Wednesday, Nov. 7 – "Bidder 70" – a documentary chronicling the case of Tim DeChristopher, who, as an act of civil disobedience, disrupted an auction for oil and gas leases on pristine federal land.

Thursday, Nov. 8 – "Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai" – the story of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai, whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights and defend democracy.

Friday, Nov. 9 – "Brother Number One" – a documentary on the torture and murder of New Zealand yachter Kerry Hamill by the Khmer Rouge in 1978, which follows Kerry's younger brother as he travels to Cambodia to speak to eyewitnesses, perpetrators and survivors of the murderous Khmer Rouge regime.

All film screenings are free and open to the public, and take place at UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union Grotto. For more information, contact Charlotte Pate at capate@unca.edu.