06-08-2009
Why Democracy? at the Reel Democracy Festival

---

To celebrate Women’s Day and generate debate around the topic of democracy, the WCCP has teamed up with Cape Town-based producer Don Edkins to screen a selection of his award-winning Why Democracy? series. The films screened were produced in Cape Town and showcase some excellent documentaries that raise pertinent issues around contemporary democracy around the world. The 10 long and 13 short films that were part of the series have scooped over 30 international awards, been screened in 148 countries around the globe and seen by an estimate 250 million people. “The films are tools, they tell stories to get people talking and involved,” executive producer Don Edkins explains.

 

The WCPP, an art deco gem located at number 7 Wale Street, was completed in 1944. Formerly a powerhouse of apartheid rule, the building now is the seat of the democratically-elected Provincial Parliament and its 42 members. The Speaker has chosen to focus on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as well as vulnerable groups of society, such as the poor, women, the disabled, the aged, the young and the sick, during his mandate. The Why Democracy? series engages with many of these topics.

 

Screenings will be held at the Auditorium on the 6th floor, are free and open to the public and will be followed by a debate. Booking essential. Please bring ID, driver’s license, valid permit or passport to enter the building.

 

Programme:

 

11 August 2009 5.30pm Feminine Masculine (Iran) Director: Sadaf Faroughi 8:41

 

In a male-dominated society, Farahnaz Shiri causes a stir by driving a bus and creating a mini-society where male and female roles are reversed.

 

Iron Ladies of Liberia (Liberia) 52mins Directors: Daniel June & Siatta Scott Johnson

 

After nearly two decades of civil war, Liberia is a nation ready for change. On 16 January 2006, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was appointed the first-ever freely elected female head of state in Africa. Since taking office in a hotly contested election, she has appointed other extraordinary women to leadership positions in all areas of government. This film highlights the efforts of these women to bring sustainable democracy and peace to a devastated country. Iron Ladies of Liberia gives the viewer behind-the-scenes access to Sirleaf’s cabinet meetings and provides a unique insight into a newly-elected African government. How does she lead Liberia, a nation ready for change, in its first year of democratic rule after nearly two decades of civil war? Iron Ladies of Liberia was the recipient of a number of international awards, among them the One World Media Awards’ Millennium Development Goals Award in London in 2008.

 

 

24 August 2009 5pm The Speaker’s Xenophobia Forum to be followed by the screening of three short films:

 

Baraka (Blessing) (South Africa) 24min Directors: Omelga Mthiyane & Riaan Hendricks (2008) Two days after South Africa experienced violent attacks against its black foreign nationals, thousands of people were displaced into temporary shelters across the country. After the attacks, the Western Cape community of Masiphumelele went to the nearby Soetwater refugee camp to publicly apologise, inviting their foreign nationals back home. The film follows the returning foreign shop owners to the overcrowded community of Masiphumelele.

 

Angels on Our Shoulders (South Africa) 24min Director: Andy Spitz (2008)

 

Out of the destruction, chaos and trauma of the recent xenophobic violence a small group of Zimbabwean teachers tries to establish some structure and healing for the displaced children and for themselves.

 

Congo My Foot (South Africa) 24min Directors: Okepne Ojang, Kyle Donoghue & Miki Redelinghuys

 

The film tells the story of Tino La Musica, a Congolese band based in Cape Town. Their story starts as the band, all refugees from Congo, play their regular weekly gig at Club La Référence in Long Street. They live and rehearse in a rundown block of flats in Gardens, but the mood is hopeful. Until suddenly they are evicted from their flat, a week before the countrywide xenophobic violence was to scatter and displace approximately 30 000 refugees around the country. The double impact of these events causes the band to fall apart. The musicians have lost their home, their togetherness and even their instruments. The film follows the story of Mohammed, the producer of the band, as he goes in search of his fellow band members, hoping that they can get together again to play their weekly gig.

 

31 August 2009 5pm Maria & Osmey (Cuba) 7:54 Director: Diego Arredondo

 

This film tells the story of a group of Cuban children who play a baseball game in their local neighbourhood. A closer inspection of the game reveals the dynamics of the participation, leadership and equality. Oblivisou to events outside their game, a radio announces changes in Cuba that will one day have dramatic effects on their lives…

 

Please Vote for Me (China) 52 min Director: Weijun Chen

 

In an elementary school in the city of Wuhan in central China, eight-year old children for the first time will elect their Class Monitor themselves. The grade-3 class at Evergreen Primary have their first encounter with this democratic idea by holding an election to select their Class Monitor. Election fever not only affects the candidates and their classmates, but also their parents, devoted to their only child, who take part and start to influence the results… Weijun Chen has conducted an experiment in democracy that serves as a microcosm of electoral systems all over the world. The purpose of Chen’s experiment is to determine how, if democracy came to China, it would be received. This bittersweet representation of democracy is also a portrait of a society and a town through a school, its children and its families. Winner of numerous awards, including Sterling Feature Award at Silverdocs Film Festival 2007.

 

 

For media queries please contact:

Nathalie Rosa Bucher 0768 310 434

nathalierosabucher@gmail.com

Mahendra Shunmoogam 021 487 1634 mshunmoo@pgwc.gov.za

Bookings: Please call 021-487 1634 or email mshunmoo@pgwc.gov.za

For queries on the Why Democracy? Project: Theresa Meyer Theresa@steps.co.za

<<< back to news list