Disability and Human Rights Film Festival
University of Saint Joseph, Human Science Campus, Rue Damas
Whilst the rights of other marginalized groups, such as women, children and
ethnic minorities, have come to the forefront of the development agenda,
disability rights remain largely ignored. Using the occasion of the International
Day of Disabled People, December 3rd, this film festival aims to challenge
negative perceptions and highlight some of the issues facing disabled people.
The films will draw attention to the fact that may of the problems faced by
disabled people are result of the prejudice and discrimination they meet rather
than their disability itself.
The festival forms part of LPHU’s on going struggle to get society, development
groups and NGOS as well as the government to re-conceptualize disability issues
within a discourse of rights.
Amnesty International’s vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all the
human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other
international human rights standards.
DAY 1- December 2nd
5.00pm
Opening:
5.30pm
Workshop:
Development, Human Rights and Disability
Lebanese Physical Handicapped Union
Amnesty International Regional Office
Minister of Culture – Ghazi al–Aaridi
Speakers:
Amnesty International Regional Office– Human rights and disability
Omar Razaz- World Bank Country Manager – The face of development
Jon Horsley – Oxfam –Women and Economic Rights
Films:
7.00pm
7.15pm
Talk
Country: UK
Synopsis: An able bodied man wakes up in a disabled world and
tries to get a job and a girlfriend, but keeps getting pitied or
mocked for being weird.
Disability Culture Rap
Directors: Jerry Smith and Cheryl Marie Wade
Country: US
Synopsis:
Bold and controversial, this film mixes artistic
expression, politics, and humour to move audiences to a deeper
understanding of disability from a minority and cultural perspective.
7.45pm
Maternite Interdite (Forbidden Motherhood)
8.45pm
School
9.00pm
Hidden Talents
Country: France (French with Arabic subtitles)
Synopsis: About the fertility rights of women with learning
disabilities
Synopsis: An animation film about the history of deaf education.
Country: UK
Synopsis: About disability and employment.
DAY 2 – December 3rd
5.00pm
Workshop:
The Arts and the Media and their role in the
promotion of human rights
Speakers:
Talal Selmaan – Owner of As-Safir – The role of the media
Shoukry Anis Fakhoury – author – Minority Perspectives
Maggie Farah – Journalist – Inclusion and the media
Films:
6.30pm
Cousin
Director/Producer: Adam Benjamin Elliot
Country: Australia
Synopsis: A little boy born with cerebral palsy playing with his
cousin, attempting to fly off the chicken-shed roof, out of control
shopping trolley rides and games of violent cricket. We observe
how he copes with his disability using safety pins and finger
breaking and follow him to the depths of the ocean where he
contemplates his world.
Brother
Director/Producer: Adam Benjamin Elliot
Country: Australia
Synopsis: A little boy afflicted with asthma plays with his brother,
swinging from clothes lines, chasing chickens, and combusting
ants. We watch as a little boy deals with a horrible disease that
defers his dream of being an acrobatic clown.
Uncle
Director/Producer: Adam Benjamin Elliot
Country: Australia
7.00pm
Vision and Isolation
Winner of the Docudays: Best National Documentary Award
Director: Taline Kiberian
Country: Lebanon (Arabic subtitled in English)
Synopsis:
Despite his physical handicap, Christopher Kassarji
manages to create a poetry book, an expression of his deep
feelings towards Maya (his first and only love) and his gratitude to
his mother and to all those who have shared his misery.
“Isolation and Vision” is an intimate portrait of the life of a poet in
its smallest details through which sheds the light on the “sweet
sorrows” of life, the unlimited abilities of man and his endless
sufferings, both in sickness and love…
7.15pm
North Face
Director: Marc Jobst
Country: UK
Synopsis: North Face explores a young disabled woman’s reaction
to a male neighbours embarrassment after they become
romantically entangled. After weeks of ignoring each other Paul is
forced to face Cat. He is locked out and needs help only she can
offer to get back in.
The Egg
Director: Richard Wilson
Country: UK
Synopsis: When a distressed man enters a remote all night café’
and is served the perfect egg it has an effect on him, the chef and
the waitress that will change their lives forever.
Urban Myth
Director/Producer: Ewan Marshall
Country: UK
Synopsis: Urban Myth is about two old school friends who bump
into each other as adults. Max has always had feelings for Niki but
because of his disability has never approached her. Now years
later Niki is leaving on a plane to New York in the morning and Max
has only a few hours to grab his second chance.
7.45pm
This River Winding
8.15pm
Children of Chatila
8.50pm
Duration: 0:10:50
Director/Producer: Art and Power
Synopsis: Produced by people with learning disabilities, expressing
their hopes, fears and childhood memories.
Director: Mai Masri
Synopsis: Through the stories of Farah and Issa, the film explores
the imaginary world of children where play, dream and fantasy help
them to survive the overwhelming difficulties of their everyday lives
Invisible Fitna
Director: Jazz Shaban
Country: UK (English/Arabic with Arabic subtitles)
(Please note that all films are in English with Arabic subtitles
unless otherwise stated)