Friday, March 29, 2024

Human Rights documentary festival at Angelika Dallas Feb. 9-10

DALLAS — Three 2012 documentaries revealing the epidemic of sexual assault in the military (“The Invisible War”), the struggles of an all-women’s basketball team in Iraq (“Salaam Dunk”) and a gay man’s life and murder in Uganda (“Call Me Kuchu”) will be focus for discussion at the Human Rights DocU Film Festival at Dallas’ Angelika Film Center & Café Feb. 9-10.

Tickets for the annual event — sponsored by SMU’s Embrey Human Rights Program, SNR Denton, Human Rights Watch, the Dallas Film Society and the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas — are $10 each or $24 for a weekend pass; they are available online at the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth (dfwworld.org).

“These films should serve as constant reminders that human rights issues affect everyone, everywhere, in every life situation imaginable,” says SMU Embrey Human Rights Program Director Rick Halperin, who will join others in post-screening discussions.

Feb. 9 (Saturday), 5 p.m.: “Call Me Kuchu”: On the outskirts of the Ugandan capital city of Kampala, veteran activist David Kato is shown working to repeal Uganda’s homophobic laws and liberate his fellow lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender men and women, or “kuchus.” His task is made even more difficult and dangerous when a new anti-homosexuality bill proposes the death penalty for HIV-positive gay men and prison for anyone who fails to turn in a known homosexual. With a dedicated group of activists, Kato battles an oppressive government and abusive press for this reason: “If we keep on hiding, they will say we are not here.” Sadly, Kato was killed Jan. 26, 2011, but his inspiring story lives on.

Feb. 9 (Saturday), 7 p.m.: “The Invisible War”: While exposing the epidemic of rape and sexual assault in the armed forces, this ground-breaking documentary also reveals the crimes’ systematic and shameful cover-ups. At the heart of the film are people who embraced their military service with pride and professionalism, but ultimately had their careers and lives crushed during their fights for justice. The Academy Award-nominated film was named Time Magazine’s “Ten Best” of 2012.

Feb. 10 (Sunday), 2 p.m.: “Salaam Dunk”: This unlikely tale revolves around a winning group of Iraqi women basketball players at the American University in Sulaimani. Two years prior to joining the team, many had never played sports and none had been on a team with other women. The women have arrived from all corners of their war-torn, patriarchal country to attend this prestigious school, but many cannot tell their families back home they go to an “American” university. Interviews and personal video diaries shed light on the women, their families and their experiences after the U.S. invasion in 2003.

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