Afternoon Briefing

Drug Legalization. In theory it sounds plausible. But who would dare try? Uruguay's President Jose Mujica surprised the world in 2012 by announcing that Uruguay would become the first country in the world to legalize all aspects of marijuana production, distribution and consumption. This feature documentary examines the impact that Bill No. 945 had on society while de-constructing myths and beliefs people hold on tight to regarding drugs. Will Bill No. 945 become law?

When Shakespeare Must Die, a Thai film adaptation of Macbeth is banned by the Thai government as a threat to national security, the film's producer treks through the corridors of power to un-ban his Shakespearean horror movie--from the Cultural ministry to the Senate and the National Human Rights Commission, all the way to the Administrative Court where he is suing the government for abuse of power. Wherever he went, amidst political upheaval, his director followed with a camera. The resulting reality cinema is the living story of a struggle for justice and human dignity, for freedom of expression, which Thai filmmakers do not have. A dark cinematic record of democracy in action, in all its farcical, obscene and heartbreaking details.

This documentary was filmed in Cairo, with real people who experienced the Egyptian revolution of 2011. The new media have shown you the overview of events happening in Egypt, but they have glossed over the real effect of these events on the people who live there. Although people have spoken about the real reasons for the revolution, this aspect is often overlooked by the media because of their interest. This documentary is about the people's life under the Mubarak regime, and during the revolution, as well as what they are hoping to accomplish in the post-Mubarak future. Compare and contrast the lifestyles of different strata of society who lived under Mubarak, and how they see their lives changing. Including interview with young revolutionaries fighting for a new start for Egypt. Capturing a snapshot of people's views about what happened, and what should happen next, while the country is in transition.

A European cameraman, who lives in Beijing and speaks fluent Chinese, travels to South China. His plans to interview a human rights activist and farmers suddenly come to a halt when propaganda officials stop him. The officials proudly tell him about their tight relationship with a forestry giant which plans to build a paper mill in the area. In the meantime the police arrest the human rights lawyer. The filmmaker gets caught into an absurd situation and is under surveillance for days.

Refugees of the Forest takes the audience deep into the forests of Cameroon where a group of seventy orphan chimpanzees are living in a sanctuary. They all have one thing in common: their mothers were illegally killed for bushmeat. Join filmmaker Dana Vion as she returns 3 times over 4 years for a total of 7 months, documenting the lives of Baati, Milou, Arvid, and friends on their journey of healing and recovery. This film transcends genres and audiences: it is a story of travel, adventure, wildlife, personal challenge and love. We need to know our closest cousins in the wild if we are to save them. In Refugees of the Forest, Dana Vion gives a uniquely intimate, captivating and informed window into their lives.