The Respect Human Rights Film Festival has launched its third programme, with an impressive line-up of moving and thought-provoking films and documentaries.
The festival, now in its third year, will run from 4-7 October and will highlight a range of films covering topical issues such as immigration, healthcare, homelessness, asylum seekers, LGBTQ rights, workers’ rights and environmental concerns.
The highly regarded festival will welcome a record number of patrons and filmmakers from across the world to screenings in An Cultúrlann, the James Connolly Visitor Centre and Studio 34 in Belfast.
“We are thrilled to launch the Respect Human Rights Film Festival for a third year with a range of films that tackle major human rights issues.”
“As filmmakers in a post-conflict society we face many obstacles, however the increase in production of local films sees a welcome focus on issues that can be seen as difficult to talk about.”
“As such, we have curated a programme which encourages debate on many issues, and which also demonstrates a real local passion for film and promotes human rights issues across society”.
“Without our volunteers and partners, this festival would not be possible. We are thankful to them and to all those filmmakers who will travel to Belfast for the festival.”
Seán Murray, Director of Respect Human Rights Film Festival
As well as a number of feature-length films and documentaries, several short-films and panel discussions will explore the wider cultural, human and socio-political implications of conflict.
The festival will open with the hard-hitting documentary, A Dignified Death, which poses questions on assisted suicide and illustrates the emotional strain on family and friends throughout this journey. A Q&A with its Dutch Director, Jesse van Venrooij will follow.
The full programme is available here – https://www.respectfilmfest.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Respect_Film_Festival_Programme_Guide_2019.pdf
Top Festival Picks
Opening Night – A Dignified Death (4th October 7 pm)
Directed by Jesse van Venrooij, in this documentary Eelco chooses death by legal euthanasia. A film about his mission, breaking the taboos of assisted suicide, while also illustrating the emotional strain on family and friends as they prepare for his final journey.
Bosnia Herzegovina: The Cold Peace (5th October 5 pm)
In November 1995, the Dayton Agreement stopped the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it did not build a real peace. A quarter-century after the end of the 1992-1995 conflict, a filmmaker, a cooperator and a writer went looking for conflict’s witnesses, the same people who, after the signature of the peace agreement of 1995, rolled up their sleeves in order to rebuild a country, but instead of it, the country became prisoner of nationalism, corruption, poverty and hatred, in a society put to the test by grief and neglect.
Are You Proud? (6th October 3pm)
The LGBTQ+ movement in the UK has fought bruising battles for equality. Directed by Ashley Joiner, Are You Proud? brings together rare archive footage and interviews from across a spectrum of historical campaigns to celebrate the movement’s landmark achievements.
Closing Gala – Eminent Monsters (6th October 6:30 pm)
Directed by Scotland’s Stephen Bennett, this film traces the roots of the western government’s love of torture. This includes extraordinary firsthand testimony and Q&A from the Hooded Men.
The film festival is supported by the QFT, Film Hub NI, Fáilte Feirste Thiar, Belfast Film Festival and Féile an Phobail.
All screenings are non-ticket events, except for the opening and closing galas where tickets can be acquired on www.respectfilmfestival.com.