- Feature Films
- Short Films
- Sponsors
- Thank You

Directors Statement

Welcome to the third New Zealand Human Rights Film Festival

Once again we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our sponsors and others who have contributed their time and energy into making this Festival work and share our belief that New Zealanders are committed to human rights for all. There is no doubt that this event would not take place without their support and efforts.

New Zealand and the International Human Rights Film Festival movement

In late 2006 and with thanks to funding from the Council of International Development, Boris van Beueskom attended the annual meeting of the Human Rights Film Network in Amsterdam, where our application for membership was made and accepted. Membership not only gives us a stronger funding and organisational structure but also access to better and more varied fi lms from around the world. Others countries such as Serbia, Burkina Faso, Bolivia and the Ukraine also became members at this meeting and we look forward to bringing you fi lms from these countries in 2008. We also hope that our membership will provide opportunities for New Zealand documentary and fi lmmakers to have their fi lms showcased overseas. The Human Rights Film Network is excited to be part of this movement and more information about what we do can be found elsewhere in this programme.

2008 and a 60th Anniversary

We are enthusiastic about the wide cross-section of the community that have shown an interest in the festival and continue to look for new ways to build on that interest. Although we have not moved the festival to centres outside of Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington yet (much to the disappointment of those outside these cities), we are working hard to expand the festival to include other centres in 2008.

Next year is the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a signifi cant event in the human rights calendar and worldwide community. We look forward to bringing you more news about events planned to celebrate this auspicious occasion in the coming months.

The Programme

Many of the features of last year’s festival have returned, including the speakers panels. In the surveys completed after the festival 70% of our audience indicated that they had stayed behind to listen and participate in these forums.

The f lms selected reach across the broad spectrum of human rights, with “something for everyone” and contain a number of award winning, high quality documentaries and feature fi lms. We are also pleased that we can continue to bring you films with a New Zealand connection. The feedback we received from previous years suggests that this will be an ongoing feature of our festival. We received a lot of positive comments about one of last year’s fi lms Winner Every Day and are confident that you will be equally supportive of this year’s selections Sign of the Times and Breath of Peace.

The Theme - Identity

We have chosen identity as a theme because it is an issue that underpins many of the debates that take place in public forums about the kind of society that we as a nation are striving for. Identity is an important component of any meaningful discussion about human rights because so often we hear our media commentators or political leaders talk about those who are “deserving” of our sympathy or respect – as if those who don’t deserve our respect are somehow different from the model of the perfect New Zealander.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights makes it clear that human rights are those inalienable rights that belong to all members of the human family. They are fundamental to maintaining the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals – it is not acceptable to respect the human rights of some and not others (Total Denial and Bound by Promises).

There is no doubt that most western liberal democracies have been struggling to come to terms with the phenomena of identity politics over the last 20 years or so. Identity politics takes many forms. It can be expressed through nationalistic forms, such as a people’s attempt to assert their right to be recognised as a State (Goal Dreams, Coca: The Dove from Chechnya). In cases where such expressions of identity are taken to the extreme, the result can be disastrous for others (Carla’s List). Identity politics can also appear where marginalised groups assert the right to access certain entitlements, land, or fïsheries, or the right to practice culture or religion because of who they are or whom they identify with. In many cases people are simply seeking to be recognised and treated with dignity (We’re Normally Different, Sign of the Times). Inevitably identity politics is shaped by our external appearances (Race is a Four Letter Word) and it is this point of difference that is used to set us apart. But how signifïcant is our skin colour when we are all faced by the same pressing issue that is set to change the way we
see ourselves and others (Refugees from the Blue Planet)?

Identity politics is seen by many as antithetical to a properly functioning democracy. Some consider that identity politics leaves little room for compromise as one identifïable group asserts their right at the expense of another. Often it is not possible for all groups to have their identity recognised, respected or protected and some must lose out.

But it seems self-evident that for many identity is bound up by race, religion, sexuality or language. These characteristics are immutable. It is inevitable that as our society changes and evolves, groups within our communities will continue to demand to be recognised and respected for who and what they are.

On behalf of all the Human Rights Network members and friends who contribute countless hours to organising this event, and our sponsorship contributors, we take pleasure in welcoming you to the third New Zealand Human Rights Film Festival.

Carol Nelson, Boris van Beusekom and Carolyn Brown
Festival Co-Directors
Trustees of the Human Rights Network Aotearoa


		Feature Films Short Films Auckland Wellington Christchurch Auckland Wellington Christchurch Auckland Wellington Christchurch Sponsors Thank You Directors Statement Welcome to the third New Zealand Human Rights Film Festival Once again we have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our sponsors and others who have contributed their time and energy into making this Festival work and share our belief that New Zealanders are committed to human rights for all. There is no doubt that this event would not take place without their support and efforts. New Zealand and the International Human Rights Film Festival movement In late 2006 and with thanks to funding from the Council of International Development, Boris van Beueskom attended the annual meeting of the Human Rights Film Network in Amsterdam, where our application for membership was made and accepted. Membership not only gives us a stronger funding and organisational structure but also access to better and more varied fi lms from around the world. Others countries such as Serbia, Burkina Faso, Bolivia and the Ukraine also became members at this meeting and we look forward to bringing you fi lms from these countries in 2008. We also hope that our membership will provide opportunities for New Zealand documentary and fi lmmakers to have their fi lms showcased overseas. The Human Rights Film Network is excited to be part of this movement and more information about what we do can be found elsewhere in this programme. 2008 and a 60th Anniversary We are enthusiastic about the wide cross-section of the community that have shown an interest in the festival and continue to look for new ways to build on that interest. Although we have not moved the festival to centres outside of Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington yet (much to the disappointment of those outside these cities), we are working hard to expand the festival to include other centres in 2008. Next year is the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a signifi cant event in the human rights calendar and worldwide community. We look forward to bringing you more news about events planned to celebrate this auspicious occasion in the coming months. The Programme Many of the features of last year’s festival have returned, including the speakers panels. In the surveys completed after the festival 70% of our audience indicated that they had stayed behind to listen and participate in these forums. The f lms selected reach across the broad spectrum of human rights, with “something for everyone” and contain a number of award winning, high quality documentaries and feature fi lms. We are also pleased that we can continue to bring you films with a New Zealand connection. The feedback we received from previous years suggests that this will be an ongoing feature of our festival. We received a lot of positive comments about one of last year’s fi lms Winner Every Day and are confident that you will be equally supportive of this year’s selections Sign of the Times and Breath of Peace. The Theme - Identity We have chosen identity as a theme because it is an issue that underpins many of the debates that take place in public forums about the kind of society that we as a nation are striving for. Identity is an important component of any meaningful discussion about human rights because so often we hear our media commentators or political leaders talk about those who are “deserving” of our sympathy or respect – as if those who don’t deserve our respect are somehow different from the model of the perfect New Zealander. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights makes it clear that human rights are those inalienable rights that belong to all members of the human family. They are fundamental to maintaining the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals – it is not acceptable to respect the human rights of some and not others (Total Denial and Bound by Promises). There is no doubt that most western liberal democracies have been struggling to come to terms with the phenomena of identity politics over the last 20 years or so. Identity politics takes many forms. It can be expressed through nationalistic forms, such as a people’s attempt to assert their right to be recognised as a State (Goal Dreams, Coca: The Dove from Chechnya). In cases where such expressions of identity are taken to the extreme, the result can be disastrous for others (Carla’s List). Identity politics can also appear where marginalised groups assert the right to access certain entitlements, land, or fïsheries, or the right to practice culture or religion because of who they are or whom they identify with. In many cases people are simply seeking to be recognised and treated with dignity (We’re Normally Different, Sign of the Times). Inevitably identity politics is shaped by our external appearances (Race is a Four Letter Word) and it is this point of difference that is used to set us apart. But how signifïcant is our skin colour when we are all faced by the same pressing issue that is set to change the way we see ourselves and others (Refugees from the Blue Planet)? Identity politics is seen by many as antithetical to a properly functioning democracy. Some consider that identity politics leaves little room for compromise as one identifïable group asserts their right at the expense of another. Often it is not possible for all groups to have their identity recognised, respected or protected and some must lose out. But it seems self-evident that for many identity is bound up by race, religion, sexuality or language. These characteristics are immutable. It is inevitable that as our society changes and evolves, groups within our communities will continue to demand to be recognised and respected for who and what they are. On behalf of all the Human Rights Network members and friends who contribute countless hours to organising this event, and our sponsorship contributors, we take pleasure in welcoming you to the third New Zealand Human Rights Film Festival. Carol Nelson, Boris van Beusekom and Carolyn Brown Festival Co-Directors Trustees of the Human Rights Network Aotearoa