Human Rights Watch in Toronto

From February 28 until March 5, in partnership with the Human Rights Watch Toronto Committee, Cinematheque Ontario screens its fifth annual Human Rights Watch International Film Festival. 

7 films in total are screened that include BUDDHA COLLAPSED OUT OF SHAME (2007) by eighteen-year-old Hana Makhmalb daughter of acclaimed director Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Alex Gibney’s TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE (2007) and Ramin Bahrani’s CHOP SHOP (2007).  Guest speakers will be in attendance for every screening in this series, including director Alex Gibney.

TAXI won this year’s Academy Award for Best Documentary feature.  Check this site for updates in reviews for the Human Watch Films.

For more details on program schedule and times, check the Cinematheque website at:-
http://www.cinemathequeontario.ca

CHOP SHOP (USA 2007) ***
Directed by Ramin Bahrani

Directed by Iranian American Ramin Bahrani, CHOP SHOP is shot in the “Iron Triangle” of Queens but his film looks more like it could have been set in Brazil or other third world country.  12-year old Latino, Alejandro (Alejandro Polanco) is looking to be his own boss – he buys an old van - and struggles to make it with his older sister, Isamar (Isamar Gonzales).  He knows a bit about vehicles working in an auto shop besides doing small scams for extra cash.  Though they constantly argue, director Bahrani shows that there is more that meets the eye – i.e. the unsaid love and bond between them.  Whether they make it on their own is immaterial for Bahrani’s film grows gradually on the audience.  Filmed in a neo-realistic style often with background sounds often louder than the players’ dialogue, the chief success of this film is the authenticity it creates.  The audience feels for the all the characters; likeable or not.

- screening Wed Mar 3rd

TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE (USA 2007) ***** Top 10
Directed by Alex Gibney

Winner of this year’s Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, Alex Gibney’s (ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM) excellent TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE examines the controversial subject of American torture of terrorist suspects exposing those directly and indirectly responsible while examining key humanitarian issues regarding to the subject matter.

Gibney has assembled an impressive cast of interviewees that includes those convicted of murder in the prisons (military police, interrogators and soldiers), the FBI, New York Times journalists (who first exposed the inhuman practices), the International League for Human Rights President among others.  The most candid testimonies are the ones delivered by torture victim Moazzam Beg and a tortured WWII prisoner who lend their views on torture.  Gibney’s images and sketchings of torture in the cells aid in creating the atmosphere.

Gibney proves in the film that the Bush Administration is directly responsible for the torture.  He is just not finger pointing but lays out all the evidence and witnesses as in a court of law.  The film here ticks like a time bomb as the disturbing facts hit the audience with the terrible truth.

In addition, Gibney interviews the FBI in interrogation techniques.  If torture does not obtain worthwhile information, the obvious fact that torture performed just for the hell of it must be the obvious reason.  Gibney delves deeper to illustrate how the Bush Administration disregards the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners and how when murder was discovered brought blame only to the lowest level of the echelon.  The most disturbing (and true) fact – this point packs quite the punch – is revealing that 99% of those released from U.S. custody would surely have the same sufficient animosity towards the U.S. as a true terrorist.

TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE is yet another affecting picture condemning the U.S. torture practices in prisons from Afghanistan and Iraq to Guantanamo Bay.  Michael Winterbottom’s ROAD TO GUANTANAMO and this year’s Best Documentary Oscar nominee NO END IN SIGHT are two other films worthy of mention. 

Narrated by director Gibney himself, his words and voice add an additional conviction to the dialogue uttered.  TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE is superbly paced with a whammy of an ending.  Gibney’s late father delivers a no holes barred conclusion during the end credits that will guarantee to leave one breathless.

- screening Mar 2nd, Monday