HIFF 2015: Films of Conflict & Resolution

2015 is the 16th year of our Films of Conflict and Resolution program, dedicated to showcasing films that deal with the complex issues and societal effects of war and violence, and the attendant human dramas, in creative ways. The films in the program, which includes both features and shorts, call on the audience to learn, react, and engage in worthy causes.

The program, presented by the Tribeca Shortlist, recognizes one of the films in the series with a cash prize of $5,000 from the Brizzolara Family Foundation and a panel discussion after its screening, encouraging dialogue and action.


HIFF 2015 Films of Conflict & Resolution: FEATURES

Uncondemned-650

THE UNCONDEMNED

World Premiere | USA | Directed by Michele Mitchell, Nick Louvel
THE UNCONDEMNED tells the gripping and world-changing story of a group of young international lawyers and activists who fought to make rape a crime of war, and the Rwandan women who came forward to testify, to win justice, where there had been none. Up until this point, rape had not been considered a war crime and was committed with impunity. A courtroom thriller, and personal human drama, THE UNCONDEMNED beautifully interweaves the stories of the characters in this odyssey, leading to the trial in the International Criminal Court—and the results that changed the world of criminal justice forever.

WINNER: 2015 Brizzolara Family Foundation Award
PANEL

Immediately following screening on 10/9
The key players in this groundbreaking trial—Sara Dareshori, Pierre Prosper, Binaifer Nowrojee and Patricia Sellers—reunite for the first time in almost 20 years for the post-screening panel. All have continued their passionate and career long commitment to international justice. They join co-director Michele Mitchell for an in-depth discussion of the stirring events captured in THE UNCONDEMNED, the impact of that trial on judicial trends and global perceptions, and the implications and possibilities for the future.
Tickets to the 10/9 screening include access to screening and panel. 

Panelists:
Michele Mitchell: Co-director, THE UNCONDEMNED
Sara Dareshori: Senior Counsel, US Program for Human Rights Watch
Pierre Prosper: Partner, Arent Fox
Binaifer Nowrojee: Regional Director for Asia, Open Society Foundation
Patricia Sellers: Special Advisor, Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
Moderator: Patricia Sabga, Economics and Global Affairs Correspondent, Al Jazeera America


THE ARMOR OF LIGHT

Armor-of-Light-650USA
Directed by Abigail E. Disney
With her directorial debut, THE ARMOR OF LIGHT, Abigail Disney presents a candid portrait of a brave evangelical minister who questioned whether someone could be both pro-life and pro-gun. A leader of the anti-abortion movement and his church, Reverend Rob Schenck was forced to reconsider his position after meeting Lucy McBath, a fellow Christian and gun control activist, whose son, Jordan Davis, was shot in Florida. Forming an unlikely alliance, the two embarked on a courageous journey, taking on the NRA and the church, giving hope to the idea that we can unite across party lines and find common ground.


DEMOCRATS

Democrats-650Denmark
Directed by Camilla Nielsson
More than two decades after president Robert Mugabe’s corrupt dictatorship began, international pressure forced Zimbabwe to assemble a bipartisan committee to begin writing the country’s first democratic constitution. With remarkable access and over the course of three years, director Camilla Nielsson traces the arduous process of negotiations led by two rivals appointed to head the committee as they compete and debate the democratic process. At times dramatic and often comical, DEMOCRATS balances the clash of personalities against the backdrop of Mugabe’s regime with intimate moments of honesty and respect.


HE NAMED ME MALALA

he-named-me-malala-650USA
Directed by Davis Guggenheim
Academy Award® winner Davis Guggenheim’s (AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, WAITING FOR SUPERMAN) latest documentary is a candid look into the life of Malala Yousafzai, the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. An advocate for education and children’s rights, Malala was rushed to the hospital after being attacked by the Taliban on October 9, 2012. With the entire world rallied behind her, Malala recovered and co-founded The Malala Fund to empower girls worldwide by facilitating access to education with the belief that “one child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.”


THE HIGH SUN “Zvizdan”

High-Sun-650US Premiere | Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia
Directed by Dalibor Matanic
The inter-ethnic wars that tore Yugoslavia apart loom large in the background of Dalibor Matanić’s latest film THE HIGH SUN, winner of the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and Croatia’s submission for the Oscars®. Although never shown on screen, the tumult of the conflict seeps through and disrupts the lives of three young couples in stories that mirror the turmoil and healing process of a nation at war with itself. The tryptic spans decades: the first story is set in 1991 at the beginning of the war, the second one in 2001 at the end of the war, and the final one a decade later. With superb performances by Tihana Lazovic and Goran Markovic, THE HIGH SUN illuminates the tenacity of love across hatred and ethnic divides.


HIFF 2015 Films of Conflict & Resolution: SHORTS

Kingdom-of-Garbage-200KINGDOM OF GARBAGE

Iraq, UK, USA, Netherlands
Directed by Yasir Kareem

Zahraa, an Iraqi refugee, dreams of going to school while scouring a landfill site with her brother. When a trade between Zahraa and the self proclaimed ‘King of Garbage’ goes wrong, the siblings’ relationship is tested to breaking point.

Last-Day-of-Freedom-200LAST DAY OF FREEDOM

New York Premiere | USA
Directed by Dee Hibbert-Jones and Nomi Talisman

When Bill Babbitt realizes his brother Manny has committed a crime, he agonizes over his decision — should he call the police? A richly animated personal narrative, LAST DAY OF FREEDOM tells the story of Bill’s decision to stand by his brother in the face of war, crime and capital punishment.

Plamen-200FLAME “PLAMEN”

East Coast Premiere | USA
Directed by Dress Code

In early 2013, angered by high electric and heating bills, Bulgarians took to the streets. In acts of protest, at least seven Bulgarian citizens set themselves on fire. One of them was Plamen Goranov, a 37-year-old construction worker and artist.

Take-Me-to-the-Moon-200TAKE ME TO THE MOON

North American Premiere | China, Spain
Directed by Enric Ribes and Oriol Martinez

In the Antex textile factory in Hangzhou, China, dreams of a better future fill the air and the charismatic boss seeks the utopia of a happy factory of more than 2,000 workers. Told with a distinctly bold voice, this rare story is truly inspiring.


tribeca-shortlist-logo-200The Conflict & Resolution (C&R) program is sponsored by the Tribeca Shortlist